Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and his trainer Edmund Villamor are off to Dubai, UAE for Nietes’ bout with Dominican Republic boxer Norbelto Jimenez, which is WBA super flyweight title eliminator fight. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— The longest-reigning Filipino boxing world champion and four-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes flies to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for his WBA world super flyweight title eliminator slated on December 11 against Norbelto “Meneito” Jimenez of the Dominican Republic.
On Monday, December 6, Nietes and his trusted trainer Edmund Villamor flew to Dubai after they wrapped up more than three months of training at the Villamor Brothers gym in Mandaue City.
According to Villamor, who has been training Nietes since the latter’s glory days with ALA Boxing Gym, that his prized ward is now a hundred percent ready for fight night.
“Nindot kaayo iyahang condition karon. 100% ready na gyud siya. Taas na sad iyang sparring,” said Villamor.
(His condition is really good. He is 100% ready. He has also spent quite a time sparring.)
Nietes and Jimenez will fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) world super flyweight title eliminator in the undercard of Johnriel Casimero-Paul Butler world title showdown.
The winner between Nietes and Jimenez will earn a world title shot for the WBA title currently held by American Joshua Franco while Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada is WBA’s super flyweight world champion.
“Confident kaayo ko kay grabe man among training. Basta mo train na gani na si Donnie, wala gyud nay putol-putol basta naay schedule nga duwa,” said Villamor.
(I am confident because our training was really difficult. If Donnie trains, he trains non-stop if there is a scheduled fight.)
The 39-year-old Nietes (43-1-5, 23 knockouts) is rated No. 4 in the WBA, No. 6 in WBC, and No. 2 in the WBO rankings.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old Jimenez (30-9-5,16KOs), who is rated No. 5 in WBA and No 8. in WBC, has not fought this year.
Nietes sparred with younger and taller boxers such as world title challenger Jeo Santisima and Albert Pagara to prepare for Jimenez.
Last October, Nietes signed a promotional contract with global boxing outfit, Probellum and parted ways with D4G and MTK Global, his previous promoters.
The last time Nietes was seen in action was on April 4, 2021 where he defeated Colombian Pablo Carrillo of Colombia via unanimous decision in Dubai, UAE to clinch the WBO international super flyweight strap.
The main event featuring Casimero pits his WBO world bantamweight title against Butler of the United Kingdom.
Plus, another Filipino Jayson Mama will fight the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight champion Sunny Edwards of the UK in the same fight card.
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