NIETES IS NOW WBO NO. 1
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 May 2007
SEOUL, KOREA--WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo has informed that Filipino fighter Donnie Nietes has just moved up into the top spot of the WBO minimumweight rankings for May, thus solidifying his chances of getting a crack at the world title this year.
Nietes, who holds the WBO Asia Pacific title, moved up a notch higher from his previous ranking, swapping places with Thailand's Oleydong Sithchanerchai who holds a belt from a rival boxing body.
The ALA Boy Nietes hopes to challenge WBO minimumweight champion Ivan Calderon, but as the latter plans on moving up in weight to challenge Hugo Cazares, Nietes will now train his sights on the highest available contender for the vacated title.
Down two notches below is Nicaraguan Juan Palacios at no. 3, whom promoter Sammy Gello-ani might tap to face Nietes.
Meanwhile, Korea has just been added to the growing list of countries which hold the WBO Youth title, following the majority decision win today of Hee Jae Jo over Filipino Fernando Otic for the vacant WBO Youth super-featherweight crown.
The WBO Youth has been making inroads into the Asian boxing scene, with promoters inquiring and promoting for its title belts.
Aside from Korea, the other countries with WBO Youth title-holders include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand while countries like New Zealand and China (Macau) are expected to follow suit.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
Sun, 29 Jun 2025USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sun, 29 Jun 2025Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
Sat, 28 Jun 2025GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
Sat, 28 Jun 2025Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
Sat, 28 Jun 2025IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 28 Jun 2025Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Jun 2025MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 27 Jun 2025