Nietes not giving up hope on ‘dream fights’

CEBU, Philippines —  Four-division world champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes of Cebu’s world-renowned ALA Gym hasn’t fought for 15 months now.

With the way things are going on at the moment, his long layoff will certainly be extended to an indefinite period of time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 Nietes, however, is not giving up hope on his ‘dream fights’, something he desires before pondering on  retirement because at 38 years old, he’s now in the twilight of his career.

If he have his way, the fighting pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental wants to face the best super flyweights out there when the sports world gets back to normal after this global malady.

Among the big guns in the 115-pound division in his wishlist are Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand, Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, and Kazuto Ioka of Japan.

Interestingly, Ioka is the same fighter whom Nietes narrowly beat by split decision to snatch his fourth title in fourth weight class during his last ring appearance on December 31, 2018 at the Wynn Palace Cotai in Macau.

Before taking the WBO super flyweight belt,  Nietes once held court in the WBO minumumweight and light flyweight, and IBF flyweight divisions.

“I am just waiting if one of them will answer my challenge, and if it’s worth my price,” said Nietes, who

admirably rose from his humble beginnings as a janitor at the ALA Gym to one of the greatest and most enduring Philippine boxers of all time.

Among his many accomplishments is seizing the record as the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion once held by Cebuano great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

In this time of crisis, Nietes turns himself into an entrepreneur, selling foods as well as alcohols, masks and other essentials needed by everyone to shield themselves from the deadly virus.

Nietes added that he stays in good shape by doing some exercises such as shadowboxing and hitting the heavy bag at his home in Canduman, Mandaue City.

His advice to people in these challenging times:”Always be careful and pray that everything will be allright soon.”