His nickname "Ahas" which is Tagalog for "snake" comes from the way he approaches the ring with a python around him, a personal pet of his.[1] His cousin, Gerson Nietes, is also a boxer.[2]
Originally a utility man who worked at the Antonio Lopez Aldeguer (ALA) boxing gym, Nietes took up boxing after being encouraged by the practitioners whom he socialized with. He turned professional in 2003 and became a national champion one year later.[3]
Nietes fought a then undefeated Pornsawarn Kratingdaenggym of Thailand for the vacant WBO title on September 30, 2007 in Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines. Although Nietes floored Kratingdaenggym in the fourth round, the Thai boxer managed to go up to the final bell. The bout ended in a unanimous decision in favor of Nietes.
For three times, Nietes has been pitted against a fighter to whom he was supposed to defend his title, but all plans have been aborted for undisclosed reasons. Because of these, he was at risk of being stripped as the WBO rules state that a champion has to defend his title within a year.[4] After 11 months of inactivity, he finally defended his crown, against Eddy Castro (12-3-1) on August 30, 2008. Nietes (23-1-3, with 14 knockouts) won the fight by technical knockout at 2:49 mark of the second round.[5][6]
Nietes defended his title for the second time by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Erik Ramirez on February 28, 2009. En route to the win, Nietes sent Ramirez to the canvass four times in separate rounds.
In his third defense, Nietes battled interim champion Manuel Vargas on September 12, 2009. Nietes won the bout by split decision. - WIKIPEDIA
Q & A with Donnie Nietes
Since Manny Pacquiao emerged from just another fighter looking to make a living, to a multi weight world champion and on to Bona fide Superstar. Boxing has taken an upsurge in The Philippines. One such fighter to take advantage of this is WBO Strawweight world champion Donnie Nietes 24-1-3(14). He won the title in September 2007 when he outpointed then unbeaten Pornsawan Porpramook. He was then kept from defending his title for a variety of reasons before he re-emerged the following August showing no ring rust when he demolished Eddy Castro in two. This past February Nietes made his second defence, this time on the road in Mexico where he turned back the valiant attempt of Erik Ramirez on points. Next up will be another trip to Mexico when he will fight Manuel Vargas on 5 September on the undercard of Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr & Jason LeHoullier. Not bad for a guy who used to be a gym hand and only got into Boxing when he was encouraged to by the other guys in and around the gym.
Hello Donnie, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright - Firstly I believe you have an upcoming fight with your Interim champion Manuel Vargas on 5 September in Mexico. What can you tell us about the fight and what do you know about Vargas?
Donnie Nietes - Yes the fight will be in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico on September 5, 2009 against Manuel Vargas. We have been training for three months now in preparation for this fight, this fight is very important for me. I know Vargas is a good fighter and strong. But I believe I will win this fight .
Anson Wainwright - Can you tell us about your team your manager, trainer, promoter and where you train?
Donnie Nietes - My manager is Mr. Michael Aldeguer. My chief trainer is Edmund Villamor and I am promoted by ALA Promotions. I train at the ALA Gym in Cebu, Philippines.
Anson Wainwright - Back in the early part of this decade Manny Pacquiao made a name for himself and is now a national idol, do you feel he has opened the way for fighters like yourself in the Philippines?
Donnie Nietes - Manny Pacquiao not only encourage more Filipinos to take up boxing as a livelihood but open the way for Filipino fighters to have more opportunities to fight abroad, particularly in the States.
Anson Wainwright - Are you comfortable at 105 or do you see yourself staying at Strawweight?
Donnie Nietes - Yes I am comfortable at 105 lbs. But I have set my eyes at 108. I have no intention to stay at the Strawweight.
Anson Wainwright - What are your goals at Strawweight?
Donnie Nietes - My goal at Strawweight is simply to make successful defences. What I want is to go up and win another title at 108 lbs.
Anson Wainwright - You fight in Boxing’s smallest weight class, what do you think of the other top fighters there? WBC Sithsamerchai, WBA Gonzalez & IBF Garcia?
Donnie Nietes - As a champion, I always have my respects on them as I also want them to respect me. However, I honestly believe I can beat them.
Anson Wainwright - What can you tell us about your life from when you were growing up and how it took you into Boxing?
Donnie Nietes - Just like an ordinary Filipino kid during my primary years in school my friends and I plays boxing during lunch time and from then on I learn to love boxing. I move to Cebu and worked as a janitor of ALA Gym. After everyone does their training I tried to do the same thing eventually got the courage to fight professionally.
Anson Wainwright - The ALA gym in The Philippines is well known, could you tell us about the gym, what other fighters fight out of there and are there any young fighters who you think could become the next big thing in the Philippines?
Donnie Nietes - Yes –ALA Gym is well-known all-over the world because it has world-class fighters. It has produced world champions like Gerry Penalosa, Joma Gamboa, Malcolm Tuñacao and myself. It has also many good fighters who are world rated with the likes of Z Gorres, AJ Banal, Boom Boom Bautista, Milan Melindo, Michael Domingo, Mark Melligen and a few more others
Anson Wainwright - Who is your Boxing hero?
Donnie Nietes - Of course, Manny Pacquiao is my boxing hero.
Anson Wainwright - What do you like to do when your not fighting?
Donnie Nietes - Vacation in my province.
Anson Wainwright - Do you have a message for any of the other Strawweight world champion’s?
Donnie Nietes - Hope someday we will fight each other.
Best wishes and good luck in your upcoming defence.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
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Manny Pacquiao's successful boxing career paved the way to other Filipino boxing fighters making it easier for them to earn championship fights compared to years before Pacquiao era. I can confidently say that Pacquiao's era is the Golden Age of Boxing for the Philippines. During Pacquiao's reign, a lot of Filipino boxing champs emerged. There's Brian Viloria, Gerry Penalosa, Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire and the latest addition to the list is the boxing boy wonder Marvelous Marvin Sonsona. There are still a number of Filipino fighters itching to earn a championship fight and prove their mettle. Ray "Boom Boom" Bautista is one worthy contender and I hope he gets another chance a crack at a Championship bout.
With the support of the government to boxing not just the current champions but also those aspiring fighters, I am 100% sure the Philippines can produce a dozen more champs in the caliber of Manny Pacquiao. They should support Philippine professional boxing like giving proper benefits to licensed professional fighters and health care plan. I hope this Golden Age of Boxing of the Philippines continues.
Raul B. Romilla
boxingfanatico.blogspot.com
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