MURCIA’S favorite son, has been immortalized by his adoring town folks.
Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino boxing world champion and current two division world champion now has a life-sized statue built in front of the Murcia Municipal Hall in Murcia, Bacolod.
Last Wednesday, Murcia town mayor Andrew Montelibano unveiled the life-sized statue as a tribute to Nietes for putting Murcia in the world boxing map.
The 34-year-old Nietes (38-1-4, 22KOs) is currently preparing for his September fight at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.
Nietes is the only Filipino boxer to successfully defend his title for eight years and counting. Last May 29, he scored a fifth-round TKO victory against Raul Garcia of Mexico to defend his WBO light flyweight title at the Saint La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
Nietes attended the unveiling of his statue together with Mayor Montelibano, sports coordinator Elro Villarosa, Donnie’s father Josue Nietes, ABC president Anton Gonzaga, and SB members Norberto delos Reyes, Jagie Gravino, Belen Magbanua, and Bebot Gomez.
Meanwhile, ALA Boxing Gym’s lone world champion expressed interest in climbing up to the regular flyweight division from the light flyweight class that he dominated for years.
He also revealed that he is waiting for his promoter Michael P. Aldeguer, the CEO of ALA Promotions International to decide on who among WBO and WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada and Moises Fuentes will be his opponent this September.