Nietes vacates WBO crown

MANILA, Philippines — With a heavy heart, Donnie Nietes vacated his WBO super-flyweight title and walked away from a rematch with fellow Filipino Aston Palicte.

Nietes’ promoter, Michael Aldeguer of ALA Promotions, yesterday told The STAR it wasn’t an easy decision. But it’s time to move on.

“Donnie is looking for the bigger fights,” said Aldeguer.

“He is interested to fight the winner of the WBC title fight between (Srisaket Sor) Rungvisai and (Juan Francisco) Estrada,” Aldeguer added.

According to Aldeguer, “nothing is concrete” except that Nietes wants the winner of the April 26 rematch between the champion from Thailand and the Mexican.

“Donnie is hoping to fight the winner,” he said.

Nietes has written WBO president Francisco Valcarcel to thank the boxing body of which he had been a world champion in three weight divisions the past 10 years.

He said the WBO “is part of my life.’”

Nietes, who will turn 37 in May, is aware that there aren’t too many fights ahead of him. He is entering his 16th year as a professional boxer (42-1-5 with 23 knockouts).

The highly-technical boxer wants the big, lucrative fights, which may include one against former pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez. Filipino Jerwin Ancajas is the IBF champion at 115 pounds.

“I have long been dreaming to have a career defining fight. There is not much time for me in this sport at 37 years old,” said Nietes.

The pride of Murcia in Negros Occidental said “there’s no point” facing Palicte in a rematch following their controversial split draw last September.

Nietes felt that he did enough to win the fight.

“It took me a long time to think about this very difficult decision but I feel that every fight for me at this stage of my career is crucial for my future,” he said.

The WBO has declared the title vacant. Palicte, 28, with an impressive 25-2-1 record, will soon vie for the crown.