Nietes says you can't beat humility
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 31 Jul 2018
Former WBO minimumweight, WBO lightflyweight and IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes said yesterday humility is a pillar of success, pointing out that a positive attitude will propel any athlete to bring honor to his or her country.
Nietes, 36, is in line to fight for his fourth world crown against countryman Aston Palicte on HBO?s Superflyweight 3 bill at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Sept. 8. Nietes is ranked No. 1 and Palicte, No. 3. On the same card, former WBA/WBO flyweight champion and WBC No. 1 superflyweight contender Juan Francisco Estrada faces WBC No. 7 contender Felipe Orucuta in a 12-round all-Mexican battle while WBA flyweight titlist Kazuto Ioka of Japan moves up to the 115-pound division to meet WBC/IBF No. 3 contender McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico in a tenner.
Nietes is the longest-reigning Filipino world champion in history, capturing three world titles one after another from 2007 until relinquishing the IBF flyweight crown after turning back Argentine challenger Juan Carlos Reveco on a seventh round knockout at the Forum last February. Nietes? only loss was a disputed split decision to Angky Angkota in Jakarta in 2004 and is unbeaten in his last 33 bouts to stretch his record to 41-1-4, with 23 KOs.
Palicte, 27, has a 24-2 record, with 20 KOs. His only setbacks were a knockout to Romnick Magos in Taguig in 2012 and a split decision to Junior Granados in Merida, Mexico, in 2016. While experience is on Nietes? side, Palicte has the edge in physical attributes as he is four inches taller at 5-7 and has a 2 1/2 inch advantage in reach at 68 inches.
Asked about the factors that affect the performance of Filipino fighters in world competitions, Nietes said the main problem is attitude. ?The demands of an athlete are heart-wrenching,? he said. ?It?s never easy to wake up early in the morning year after year and to stay focused not just in the ring as there are a lot of distractions. How hard you work is important.?
Nietes said keeping your feet on the ground is critical to have the right mindset. ?Surround yourself with the right people----family, old friends, coaches, manager, trainer, promoter,? he said. ?Loyalty is everything. It?s difficult when you are on top because suddenly, you have new friends and relatives.?
Nietes said no matter how successful a fighter is, he should never forget his beginnings. ?It?s all about hard work, being humble and the willingness to learn and listen to the people who were instrumental in making you succeed,? he said. ?Always look back to where you started and never be satisfied. If you put all these traits together, you can bring more honor to your country.?
Nietes said striving for a better life is what drives a fighter to excel. ?Most fighters come from humble beginnings and what fuels Filipino athletes to achieve is to improve their quality of life,? he said. ?It?s tough when you can?t eat three times a day for yourself and your family. That is more than enough to fuel athletes, particularly Filipino fighters, to strive to be successful.?
Nietes? manager and ALA Boxing president Michael Aldeguer said, ?it will be huge for the country having two Filipinos fighting again for the world title in a span of three months (after IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan) and Donnie trying to make history by becoming a four-division world champion.?
Aldeguer added, ?Donnie and the whole team are aware that it?s going to be a great challenge for him as this is a new division which he has never fought in before and Palicte has nothing to lose and everything to gain if he beats Donnie who?s now in the top 10 pound-for-pound ratings .. Palicte is young, hungry, tall and naturally bigger and packs power. That?s why Donnie has trained really hard in the US the past months as he knows that if he wins and gets his fourth division world title, the sky?s the limit for him in 2019.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
Wed, 02 Jul 2025TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Jul 2025What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 02 Jul 2025Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
Wed, 02 Jul 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025