DONNIE-NATION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 Mar 2017
Cebu City ? Donnie-Nation, the official title of Pinoy Pride's 40th edition featuring Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes' world title fight against No. 4 ranked IBF flyweight Gomrich Nantapech of Thailand, was officially launched Thursday afternoon at the Waterfront Hotel here where Nietes won his first world title in 2007 and where now he is targeting his third world title in as many division come April 29.
Also in attendance during the launching were undefeated featherweight Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo and knockout artist superbantam Jeo Santisima who will be Nietes's main support bouts. Magsayo (15-0, 11KOs) will face 35-fight veteran Issa Nampepeche (24-7-4, 11KOs) of Tanzania in a 10-round non-title featherweight bout while Santisima (12-2-0, 11KOs) will take on Master Suro (11-8-0, 2KOs) of Indonesia, also in a 10-round non-title super bantamweight bout.
Nietes (39-1-4, 22KOs), the longest world champion in Philippine boxing history and who hasn't lost a fight in the last 10 years, is determined to make an impressive showing against Nantapech and capture the IBF world flyweight title to cement his mark in the boxing world.
?I've trained very hard for this fight. I've studied my opponent very carefully. I'm 100% sure I will win. If there is an opportunity, I will knock him [Nantapech] out,? Nietes, who, as a preparation for this fight regularly sparred with fellow world champion Milan Melindo and world-ranked Arthur Villanueva as well as up-and-comers Virgil Vitor and Christian Bacolod, told the local media.
However, Nietes's trainer Edmund Villamor said that Nietes is only at 60% so far. ?He is only about 60% right now but we will be peaking at the right time as the fight draws near,? Villamor, who still have a little over one month to mold his ward into a fighting machine, said.
Meanwhile, Nantapech (23-3-0, 15KOs) hasn't lost a fight since losing to Froilan Saludar on Oct. 26, 2013, registering a 15-0 run with 11 stoppages and will be aiming to duplicate the feat of his compatriot Srisaket Sor Rungvisai who shocked the boxing world last weekend when he defeated pound for pound king Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua.
On the undercard, when asked why budding stars Magsayo and Santisima were getting lightly regarded opponents, ALA Promotions matchmaker Edito Villamor said it's part of the ALA program to ensure Magsayo and Santisima are well-rounded in their skills as they make their way to fight against the elites in the future.
?Like Magsayo for example, he gets an opponent who can box. It is in contrast to [Chris] Avalos who comes forward. This is part of their growing up,? Villamor said. ?Satisima gets an opponent who had 8 losses but of those 8 losses, he had only one knockout loss. So this will test Santisima's power if he can stop this guy who is very difficult to knock out,? Villamor added.
L-R: Trainer Edmund Villamor, matchmaker Edito Villamor, Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo, Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes, Jeo 'Santino' Santisima and trainer Michael Domingo during Thursday press conference at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City. Photo by Levi Deresas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 287: RYAN GARCIA FACES RUKIYA ANPO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT NO GO SIGNAL FROM GOLDEN BOY YET
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Gaballo to fight again on Dec. 18 in Bula
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 202432nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships: Team Philippines wraps up successful campaign with 2 golds and 1 bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 29 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 29 Nov 2024Some boxers have no golds at stake
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024YAFAI: I'VE GOT MORE CHANCE OF KNOCKING HIM OUT
Fri, 29 Nov 2024DC jiu jitsu, lawn tennis bags 8 medals in BP
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Three Pinoy Fighters in Crucial Bouts This December
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 28 Nov 2024Camp Notes: Oscar Valdez & Emanuel Navarrete Prepared for Phoenix Firefight on December 7 LIVE on ESPN
Thu, 28 Nov 2024Mabuhay at Salamat: Long Live and Thanks
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 28 Nov 2024TODAY: Rolly Fogoum vs Obinna Mathew for WBF Cruise World Title; Toshihiko Era vs Chonlahee for ABF Belt in Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 28 Nov 2024The Final Word: Legendary Rematches of Mexican Boxing Premieres Ahead of Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez II
Thu, 28 Nov 2024Swedish heavyweight Genti Morina Set for Professional Debut in Denmark
Thu, 28 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 286: CHARLY SUAREZ, MARK MAGSAYO, JOHN RIEL CASIMERO, AND CARL JAMMIS MARTIN IN WBO RANKINGS
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 27 Nov 2024Pinoy Fighter Blazen Rocili Remains Unbeaten with Dominant Victory in San Antonio, TX
Wed, 27 Nov 2024