NIETES WELCOMES FIGHT AGAINST PALICTE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 May 2018
CEBU CITY ? The main reason why he moved up to Superfly was because three-division world champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes was targeting a big fight against any of the big names of the division: Chocolatito Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada or Thai star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Nietes, also Philippines' longest reigning world champion, however, ended up facing compatriot Aston Palicte after the WBO ordered the two to face each other for the vacant WBO world super flyweight crown.
?I'll accept fighting Palicte if that's who they give me,? Nietes, who will turn 36 on May 13, told the Cebu media Thursday at Park Social restobar here on the eve of his departure to the United States to accompany stablemate Jonas Sultan who himself will challenge fellow Filipino defending IBF world flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas on May 26 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Nietes also sees the positive side of fighting Palicte. ?Whoever wins between the two of us assures that the championship belt will be in Filipino hands,? Nietes said.
The biggest question in this matchup is how would the 5-feet-3-inches Nietes, who started his career at boxing division's lowest weight class of 105 lbs and has never ever fought at 115 lbs super flyweight division, cope up with the naturally bigger Palicte who stands at 5-feet-7 inches and who fought almost exclusively at super flyweight and even fought as a bantamweight?
?This is boxing. Not basketball. This is not about height but whoever lands the most punches, wins,? Nietes said. Nietes also pointed out that he fought Mexican Moises Fuentes, who is listed as 5 feet six and a half inches tall, twice. Their first fight ended in a draw while in the rematch, Nietes sent Fuentes three times to the canvas en route to a 9th round stoppage win.
Donnie Nietes (C) poses with trainers Edmund (L) and Edito Villamor at Thursday's press conference at the Park Social at IT Park in Cebu City. Photos by Levi Deresas.
Nietes' promoter Michael Aldeguer is still negotiation with the RJJ Promotions, Palicte's promoter, to make the fight. Both parties were given by the WBO ten days to finish negotiation otherwise the fight will go a purse bid with a minimum of US$100,000 purse.
At this time, the date and the venue of the fight is still up in the air although Aldeguer previously said he was targeting July 21 as the date and either the U.S. or Cebu as the venue.
If it was up to him, the Murcia, Negros Occidental native Nietes wants the fight to be held in the Philippines. ?I would like the fight to be held here in the Philippines because we are both Filipinos. The venue should be either in Cebu or Manila but I prefer Manila because it is the capital,? Nietes said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire back in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 23 Jan 2026Four Pinoys in line for title shots
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 23 Jan 2026Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
Fri, 23 Jan 2026SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026