Time to move up? Nietes says there’s ‘no challenge’ in flyweight anymore

IBF world flyweight Champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes speaks during a press conference at the St. Mark Hotel.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON

IF DONNIE Nietes was to decide, he believes it is high time for him to move up to the 115-pound category.

“If I were to choose, it is better if I move up because there is no more challenge in the 112-pound division. The big names are already in the super fly like Estrada (Juan Francisco) and Chocolatito (Roman Gonzalez),” said the 35-year-old Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino boxing champion. “So it is better if I go up too. Anyway, the weight will not be a problem.”

Nietes made the remark during a press conference last night at the St. Mark Hotel. He was coming from a seventh-round technical knockout against Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina last Sunday in the USA to successfully defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight title.

Nietes’ coach Edmund Villamor said the decision whether to move up or stay at 112 will depend on his ward and their promoter.

He said whatever his ward’s decision will be, it won’t be a problem because he knows that Nietes would continue to train diligently.

As for Edito Villamor, Nietes’ trainer, it will depend on the champion’s body weight and condition. Nietes’ training weight is 125-pounds, if after one month of training he’d get to the 130-pounds, he could move up to the 115. But if he remains at 125, then he would have to remain at 112, the trainer said.

Nietes also revealed that he is eager to go up against Thailand’s Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, whom he believes he has a chance of defeating. He said it will be a good match because they’re both Asians.