Nietes confident enough of beating Palicte in another all-Filipino world-title showdown
THREE-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is confident that he can win against the younger Aston “Mighty” Palicte in another impending all-Filipino world title showdown after the World Boxing Organization ordered the camps of Nietes and Palicte to negotiate and set a world title fight for the vacant WBO world super flyweight title this year.
Nietes said that his three main selection to fight in his bid to become a four-division world champion was former pound-for-pound king Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzales of Nicaragua, current world champions Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico and Thai Srisaket Sur Rungvisai.
Instead, he landed a fight with fellow Filipino Palicte that will serve as the second all-Filipino world title showdown after Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan take care of their business for the former’s IBF world super flyweight title on May 26 in Fresno, California.
Nietes, 35, the pride of ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu City, told the media in a presser held at the Park Social in Cebu IT Park, that he is not afraid to face Palicte even though the latter has numerous advantages against him.
Palicte is eight years younger, four inches taller and has a higher knockout percentage with 20 of his 24 fights won by knockout with two losses. Nietes has a record of 41-1-4, 23 KO.
“He’s taller but this is not basketball, it’s boxing, we throw punches not shooting for basketball,” said Nietes.
“Aside from that, I already fought and beat taller opponents before,” added Nietes referring to his classic rivalry against Mexican champion Moises Fuentes who he fought twice here in the country.
The WBO world super flyweight title was relinquished by Japanese champion Naoya Inoue who moved to the bantamweight division.
If he is to choose, Nietes said he likes to fight in Manila since it is an all-Filipino world-title showdown.
“I will work very hard for this fight so that I can fulfill my dream of becoming a four-division world champion but I won’t be complacent in this fight because Palicte is very talented and packs a lot of power,” said Nietes.
The fight’s schedule and the venue have not been finalized yet with Nietes’ team saying negotiations are still ongoing.
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