NIETES RELINQUISHES WBO LIGHT FLYWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Aug 2016
The longest reigning Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes has relinquished his WBO light flyweight title as he prepares to move up in weight to face former world champion Edgar Sosa in a
flyweight bout at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California on September 24.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told The Standard that Nietes was keen on moving up in weight and facing bigger names at 112 pounds, beginning with Sosa.
At the same time he said "Nietes was finding it hard to make the 108 pound limit although he could and feels much more comfortable at 112 pounds."
Nietes's trainer Edmund Villamor said earlier that Donnie was around 120 to 125 pounds and it would be easier to trim down to 112 without too much trouble.
Nietes who has reigned as a two division champion for over eight years surpassed the record of the late junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for 7 years, 3 months and 10 days, at the start of this year.
One of the first acts of Nietes was to pay a courtesy call on Mrs. Laura Elorde in Manila and to thank her for the support of the Elorde family and telling her that the "Flash" was his hero and inspiration.
Laura Elorde told Nietes she was pleased that he was the boxer who surpassed the record of Elorde and commended Donnie as a worthy successor to the "Flash" as one of the all-time boxing greats from the Philippines.
Following his courtesy call, Nietes visited the tomb of Elorde at the Manila Memorial Park to pay his respects and say a prayer.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
Tue, 06 May 2025Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
Mon, 05 May 2025"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 05 May 2025Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
By T. Chin-Te, Mon, 05 May 2025