Donnie “Ahas” Nietes | CDN file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Four-division world boxing champion and longest-reigning Filipino titlist Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is still yearning to fight Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzales of Nicaragua.
In an interview with CDN Digital, Nietes revealed that his dream fight and probably his farewell fight hopefully would be against the Nicaraguan WBA world super-flyweight king.
The 38-year-old former ALA Boxing Gym legend, now fighting under MTK Global’s banner, said that he wants to spend his remaining days in boxing, fighting the best in his division.
The Murcia, Negros Occidental native holds a record of 42 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss with 23 knockouts. He is setting his eyes on Gonzales (50-2-0,41KOs), who’s been linked to his name several times before.
“Si Chocolatito (Gonzales) gyud akong gipangandoy sukad pa sauna pero wala gyud nahitabo. Maayo unta maka fight ko niya una ko mo retire,” Nietes told CDN Digital.
Nietes hasn’t fought since January 2019. His last bout was against Japanese Kazuto Ioka (26-2-0,15KOs) in Macau where he clinched the vacant WBO super flyweight title via a split decision victory.
“Gusto jud ko mo fight ni Gonzales o dili ba ni Juan Estrada (41-3-0,28KOs) ug ni Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (49-5-1,42KOs) una ko mo retire. Mao na akong pangandoy,” Nietes added.
Nietes is scheduled to make his return inside the ring either on March 27 or April 3 in Dubai, UAE, he revealed after a two-year hiatus.
Nietes said that his promoter from MTK Global is currently negotiating to land him a fight either with a Puerto Rican or a Panamanian opponent. He didn’t mention their names as it is still under negotiation.
He added that his fight could either be a title eliminator for the WBO or IBF super flyweight belt or perhaps a tune-up fight.
“Nag sige nako ug training sukad pag October kay naa ko fight unta kontra nako Pinoy pero wala nako gidawat. Mao to ako lang gipadayon akong training para dili ko matayaan,” Nietes said.
Currently, Nietes is training at the Villamor Brothers Boxing Gym in Mandaue City under trainers Edito and Edmund Villamor. “Wala man ko na pressure sa umaabot nako nga fight. Excited gani kaayo ko. Kinahanglan nako mo fight ug balik kay nagkataas na akong edad,” Nietes added.
Nietes opted not to train in Dubai since he can train with the Villamor brothers, who know every aspect of his boxing skill.
He also revealed that he is already in his advanced phase of training. He added that he trains every morning and afternoon, does eight-round sparring every day with fellow former ALA Boxing Gym stablemates among them Jeo Santisima.
Nietes is scheduled to fly to Dubai two weeks before his fight for acclimatization and complete his training camp there. He is planning to bring Edmund Villamor with him as his trainer and cornerman./rcg