Nietes vacates WBO super flyweight title

MANILA, Philippine – Donnie Nietes is no longer interested in defending the WBO super flyweight championship against countryman Ashton Palicte, announcing Friday that he is vacating the title.

In a statement, Nietes, who drew with Palicte in their first encounter then won the belt after outpointing Kazuto Ioka in Macau on New Year’s Eve, said he will now target fights with other 115-pound champions. 

"After thinking hard about it for a long time, I have decided to vacate my WBO Super flyweight belt, I feel in my heart that there is no point to do the rematch with Aston Palicte after the controversial draw,” said the 36-year-old boxer from Murcia, Negros Occidental.

“I hope to seek bigger fights with the world champions of the other organizations. It may or may not happen but I believe this is the right decision under this situation,” he added.

The WBO has recently ordered a purse bid for the Nietes-Palicte, with a minimum bid of $100,000.

But with Nietes (42-1-5, with 23 KOs) vacating the throne, Palicte can now shoot for the title.

“Also, I would want to give my fellow Filipino Aston Palicte a chance to fight for the World title to bring pride and glory to our country,” said Nietes, a four-division champion who has also won belts at minimumweight, junior flyweight and flyweight.

Other 115-pound champions who could clash with Nietes are the UK’s Khalid Yafai (WBA) and Thai superstar Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (WBC). Interestingly, another Filipino, Jerwin Ancajas, holds the IBF version of the crown.