Champions we deserve

It is a double-edged sword to be WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes. The native son of Murcia in Negros Occidental is quiet, humble and businesslike, missing the swagger of most other boxers who gain international stature, and the more conservative Filipino fight fans like that. It is an attitude we want our children to emulate. Despite the fact that he has been undefeated since 2004, the two-division champion does not have the skyrocketing fame of a Manny Pacquiao or even a Nonito Donaire, Jr. That’s the flip side of the humility coin. 

Nietes (32 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw with 18 knockouts) is poised to surpass the seven-year record of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as the longest-reigning champion, though Elorde has the distinction of ruling in only one weight class. Elorde, the former world junior lightweight champion, has been a respected symbol of Philippine boxing for decades because of his steadfast belief in family and friendship, and his willingness to always be of help to those in need. He passed away from lung cancer in 1985. For Nietes, he is just doing his job, and hardly talks about the record. It just happens to be there, an incidental casualty to doing his job well. Donnie respects the boxing icon – which Filipino boxer doesn’t? – but doesn’t think about those things when he gets into the ring.

“I’m happy that I’m able to bring honor to my country in some way,” Nietes says in his trademark soft, clear voice. “I’ve been able to help my family, and it has really helped me grow as a professional.”

The WBO king has only lost once, and it was controversial, to say the least. Fighting in Jakarta, Indonesia in September of 2004, Nietes faced Angky Angkotta, who was allowed to fight despite coming in a whopping six pounds over the weight limit. In higher weight classes, that disparity in size doesn’t make much difference, but the minimumweight category, it’s like fighting your big brother. And yet, the hardy Nietes only lost that 10-rounder by split decision, a testament to his fighting spirit and willingness to fight anyone.

Nietes has never ducked anybody, and has fought whenever and wherever necessary. He has fought in Mexico several occasions, taking the fight to his fiercest rivals and prevailing. His closest call came when he fought Moises Fuentes (19-1-1 with 10 KOs). The fight was a tough one for Nietes, a majority draw that could have broken his winning streak. Judge Adalaide Byrd scored it 114-114, Pat Russell likewise scored it 114-114. Only Atty. Danrex Tapdasan saw it 115-113 in favor of Nietes. Donnie knows what he could have done better, and is prepared to do that this time around.

“I lacked follow-up and follow through,” he admits in the vernacular. “I realize now that I could have kept the pressure on, that there were times I could have finished him off, but I didn’t. This time around, that won’t happen. I’ll make sure of it.”

There are times that a boxer will instinctively stop an assault, not to admire his handiwork, but to wait for its effects. The adrenaline rush of being in the ring often delays the impact of getting hit, and a fighter sometimes keeps going until his body registers the blows. At other times, a boxer may feel the job has been done, that he has thrown enough punches to wobble or floor his opponent, only to realize that it isn’t the case. Fuentes was a tough rival, but looking at recent tape, even the knockout against Omar Salado in Mexico, Nietes isn’t convinced Fuentes has made any major changes in his style. At the “Pinoy Pride XXV” card at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 10, he plans on correcting his past miscalculation.

Fighting on this packed ALA Promotions undercard is WBO International Flyweight champion Milan Melindo, who to this writer’s mind is overdue for a world title shot. The two-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist has amassed a record of 30 wins, one loss and 12 KOs. “El Metodico” has systematically dismantled all his opponents, and has grown in confidence and experience, and personally feels he is ready to take on the world’s best. Melindo is known as a slow starter, but is a discouraging opponent, constantly moving forward, seemingly unhurt by any effort to stop him.

Melindo has been a constant in a division where there is always a lot of movement. Betting on the Cagayan de Oro native is practically a sure thing, and his consistency is refreshing in a sport where match-ups can be unpredictable, but not in a good way. Melindo even changed his nickname from “Milenyo” because he didn’t want to remind his countrymen of a typhoon that devastated large parts of the country.

Nietes and Melindo are champions we can emulate: respectful, grateful, proficient and consistent. They are anything but the flash in the pan boxers who lay false claim to world titles but are actually only fodder for better boxers. Donnie and Milan are the real deal. They don’t need to be outrageous or showy, though there isn’t anything wrong with some rightful showmanship.  You never hear of any extracurricular shenanigans or law-breaking misadventures. In fact, they’re like superheroes. We only hear about them when there’s an extraordinary job to be done. They do their job with intimidating efficiency, and have practically swept through their divisions. They are champions we deserve.