Nietes regrets giving up title
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Jan 2020
Four-time world boxing champion Donnie Nietes surrendered his WBO superflyweight title to give countryman Aston Palicte a chance to win the crown but now regrets the decision. Nietes hasn’t fought in over a year and without a title, he’s been avoided by champions because there’s nothing to gain and everything to lose in facing a tough challenger like the Murcia, Negros Occidental, boxer who’s unbeaten in his last 35 bouts since 2003.
Nietes, 37, defeated Japan’s Kazuto Ioka to capture the vacant WBO 115-pound championship in Macau in December 2018 then relinquished the throne in March last year. In June, Palicte and Ioka battled for the vacant title with the Japanese scoring a 10th round stoppage in Chiba City. Ioka has since defended the crown once, decisioning Puerto Rico’s Jeyvier Cintron in Ota City last December.
Nietes attended the launch of the book “50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time” at the Sheraton Manila Hotel last week as a featured honoree. Then, he flew to Singapore for a vacation. Nietes is returning home to Cebu today. He recently started a travel and tour agency.
Nietes attended the WBO convention in Tokyo last month, hoping to send a signal of his availability to fight for another world crown. The only way for Nietes to be assured of a title shot is to become the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger. But because of his inactivity, Nietes isn’t ranked in the top 10 of the WBO, WBA and IBF. He’s listed No. 6 by the WBC. Nietes said if he knew Palicte wouldn’t be able to beat Ioka, he would’ve held on to his title.
Nietes said he’s waiting for an offer to fight the big names in the superflyweight division but it’s not likely coming soon. WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada is penciled to face Mexican countryman Carlos Cuadras in a rematch while WBA titlist Khalid Yafai will stake his crown against Chocolatito Gonzalez in Frisco, Texas, on Feb. 29. The IBF ruler is Jerwin Ancajas and Nietes isn’t inclined to battle another Filipino.
Nietes said if no big fight comes along, he’s prepared to hang up his gloves. But he’s also not closing the door on a tune-up if it means vaulting to the No. 1 position in the rankings. Nietes said he’s walking around at 135 pounds so trimming down to 115 won’t be a problem. He’s doing a lot of biking to stay fit. In Singapore, he visited several gyms and even banged the heavy bag, skipped rope and worked out at the Evolve Gym, known as Asia’s No. 1 martial arts facility. Regarding the fight between Yafai and Gonzalez, Nietes said he’s confident of beating either. As to who will win, Nietes said “Kung sasabay si Yafai kay Chocolatito, delikado siya.”
“At this stage of his career, Donnie is waiting for the big fights at 115,” said Nietes’ manager Michael Aldeguer, ALA Boxing president. “Donnie had a very busy 2018, fighting thrice against tough opponents. When he achieved his dream to become a four-division world champion, he was looking for bigger fights but they never came. He gave up his title to give Palicte a chance to become world champion. That’s Donnie, always humble and kind. He wants to fight Ioka again, Estrada, Yafai and Chocolatito. Hopefully, this year, he gets the chance.”
Aldeguer said Nietes wasn’t interested to do a tune-up last year. “We had plans for a tune-up,” he said. “Donnie wanted to rest his shoulder which gave him a lot of discomfort after the Ioka fight. He feels he would rather rest than fight a tune-up. He sounded confident that if there’s a big fight coming up, he can always get back to shape as he doesn’t balloon too much and is very disciplined.”
Photo: Donnie Nietes poses beside his portrait during the recent launch of the book “50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time” at the Sheraton Manila Hotel.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026