NIETES HEADS UP TO SUPERFLYWEIGHT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 16 Mar 2018
IBF flyweight world champion Donnie Nietes (41-1-4, 23 KOs) is ready to move up to the super flyweight division to chase the more prominent fighters in the higher weight class.
The longest reigning Filipino champion made his HBO debut in Superfly 2 with a very impressive stoppage of his Argentinean challenger Juan Carlos Reveco in the 7th round at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California.
Nietes has defeated Argentina's Reveco, Mexico's Edgar Sosa and Thailand's Komgrich Nantapech when he conquered the 112-lb division.
There are bigger names at the superflyweight including Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman ?Chocolatito? Gonzalez and WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand. ?I?m really decided to go up in weight,? Nietes told The Inquirer. ?I have no [hesitations], I?m really going to move up to 115."
?Actually, I really, really want to fight at 115 because that?s where the big names and great boxers are. That?s where my dream fights are,? added Nietes.
Plans are in the drawing boards to conduct a Superfly 3 fight card and HBO is willing in promoting any fight where Nietes is to be pitted against some of the popular names at the 115 lb class.
ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer revealed that Nietes has been pursuing Gonzalez and Estrada that is why he headed up to the flyweight. But when he was already at 112 lb., the two fighters had moved up to 115 lb.
?He wants the biggest fights out there,? said Aldeguer. ?He?s waited for so long. I remember before, the reason why he moved up to 112, I think a lot of you noticed, is because ?Chocolatito? and Estrada are at 112,? Aldeguer said.
?But right after he moved up to 112, they moved up to 115 so I saw his face, I remember he came to me and said ?sir, Chocolatito is no longer here, they moved up already? and I told him it?s okay and I saw his patience and that?s Donnie for you. He just works hard and he wants to get the title and then, now this was a big break for him.?
Nietes is not afraid to face any popular fighter or any titlist. ?Anybody. I just want to fight the big names out there. Whichever champion is going to come forward, I want the fight,? he was quoted by Bad Left Hook.
Right after his victory against Reveco he declared, ?Whatever?s out there. Right now, I want to fight the big names out there. If there?s a huge fight at 112, I?ll stay at 112. If there?s a unification bout at 112. But if the big names are at super flyweight, I?ll move up to 115.?
The age factor is considered a concern by some fight enthusiasts when the 35-year-old Nietes goes to a higher weight class.
"I am decided already. There are no doubts, I want to move up to 115," said the Murcia native in a news conference. "Age is just a number. I will condition myself so that my body becomes younger. The speed and power is still there."
"I?ve spoken to WBO president Paco Valcarcel and they?re considering Donnie if he?s moving up and the decision that we have to do right now is if he?s going to stay at 112 or he moves up at 115," Aldeguer was quoted by Rappler.
But it was reported that Gonzales wants to have a tune-up fight first before facing the ALA Gym standout at superflyweight. Donnie also plans to fight for the title at 115 lb. before facing "Chocolatito."
"If Donnie fights for the world title and hopefully, he wins it then, maybe the next fight, he can defend it against Chocolatito and I think they're talking about Superfly 3 in September or October so we don't know yet," added Aldeguer.
According to the ALA boss they have to discuss Donnie?s plans. "He wants the big fights right now and he wants to go for a 4th division title."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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