Nietes confident vs Ioka

CEBU, Philippines — Three-division world champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes (41-1, 23KOs) is raring to showcase his skills in front of boxing fans in Macau as he expressed confidence in beating Japanese star Kazuto Ioka (23-1, 13KOs) for the vacant WBO super flyweight title on New Year's eve.

"He (Ioka) is a good boxer as I saw in his previous fights, but I think I have fought tougher opponents in the past," said the longest reigning Filipino world champion in a press conference yesterday at the Summit Circle Hotel Cebu. "Honestly, this will not be a hard fight for me. I am serious in finally getting that belt."

This is Nietes' second chance to join the ranks of Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire as Pinoy champions who claimed four world titles in different divisions.

The 36-year-old Nietes fought compatriot Aston Palicte for the same title last September 8 in California, but settled for a controversial draw.

Nietes, who is ranked No.1 by the WBO, claimed that he's 100% ready with his diet and conditioning supervised by international sports performance coach Nick Curson.

“I really feel stronger in this weight. This is the right division for me,” said Nietes. “My goal is to score an impressive win. I want to win by knockout to show how my power improved.”

Just like Nietes, Ioka is also chasing history as he wants to be the first boxer from Japan to be a four-division world champion.

The No.3 ranked Ioka is fresh from his lopsided unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo last September.

Before Arroyo, Ioka has also fought other big names in the likes of Juan Carlos Reveco and Felix Alvarado of Argentina, Thai Amnat Ruenrueng, Jean Piero Perez of Puerto Rico and countryman Akira Yaegashi.

The Nietes-Ioka showdown headlines the triple- world championship card that also features WBA light flyweight bout between South African Hekkie Budler against Hiroto Kyugchi and battle between Masahiro Sakamoto and Mruti Mthalane for the IBF flyweight belt.