Nietes believes timing will be the key in bid to become four-division world champ

Just three days before one of the biggest fights of his career, three-division world champion and longest reigning Filipino boxing world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes admitted he is in a very dangerous situation when he faces fellow three-division world champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan on New Year’s Eve for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Super Flyweight Title in Macau, China.

Although he already cemented himself as one of the Philippines’ greatest ring warriors, the 36-year-old Nietes still has a lot at stake in this super fight against the 29-year-old Japanese.

“He should not be taken easily because both of us badly want to become a four-division world champion. We both dreamed for that achievement so it is going to be a very tough fight,” said Nietes, who, together with his team, arrived in Macau, China, earlier this week to attend pre-fight activities leading to Sunday’s weigh-in.

According to one of Nietes’ trainers, Edito Villamor, the Murica, Negros Occidental, native is in great condition after successfully completing his training in Cebu under the supervision of American conditioning trainer Nick Curson, who will also be at his corner come fight night.

Nietes believes he is ready and has a game plan prepared.

“He is a very good boxer and this fight will be more about having the perfect timing. The boxer who hits that perfect[ly] timed [punch] first will win the fight so hopefully, I will be the one who is going to raise my hands after the fight,” he said.

Nietes holds a 41-1-5 (win-loss-draw) record with 23 knockout victories. Ioka sports a 23-1-0 slate with 13 knockouts.

Though he considers it as one of the toughest fights of his colorful career, Nietes is confident he can pull off the victory.

“It really depends on the timing. But I am confident that I can win against him. I am very confident that I can win because I am always disciplined [in training] and, of course, I always have faith in God,” said Nietes.