MANILA, Philippines — Donnie Nietes, seeking to become a world champion in four weight classes, will soon get a crack at the vacant WBO super-flyweight crown.
Standing in front of Nietes, however, is fellow Filipino Aston Palicte.
The WBO has ordered the title match between the two Filipinos, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, after Japan’s Naoya Inoue vacated the crown to move up in weight.
On May 26, IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas stakes his crown and his lofty billing against countryman Jonas Sultan in Fresno, California.
It will be the first world title fight between two Filipinos in almost a century, since Pancho Villa defended his flyweight crown against Clever Sencio at the Wallace Field, which is now known as Luneta.
Now comes Nietes vs Palicte.
According to Philboxing.com, WBO championship committee chairman Luis Salas has written both camps, and has given them 10 days to seal the title fight.
Otherwise, it will go to a purse bid.
“If an accord is not reached within the time frame stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered,” the WBO letter said.
The WBO added that whoever wins the fight, if and when it happens, will have to face the mandatory challenger in 90 days after the fight.
Nietes, who turns 36 in two weeks, has won world titles at minimumweight (104 lbs), light-flyweight (108 lbs) and flyweight (112 lbs) and has moved up to 115 to seek the big fights.