Nietes in hunt to reclaim crown
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Nov 2021
Donnie Nietes.
Former WBO minimumweight, WBO lightflyweight, IBF flyweight and WBO superflyweight champion Donnie Nietes isn’t used to walking around without a crown and he’s back in the hunt to win another title. Last April, Nietes ended a 27-month layoff to outpoint Colombian Pablo Carillo and on Dec. 11, the man called “Ahas” takes another step towards a championship shot as he battles Dominican Republic’s Norbelto Jimenez in a WBA title eliminator in Dubai.
Nietes, 39, isn’t looking beyond Jimenez but admitted yesterday his sights are on super WBA 115-pound ruler Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico. After disposing of Jimenez, Nietes plans to call out Estrada for a much-awaited showdown. Nietes’ trainer Edmund Villamor is confident of a win over Jimenez, ranked No. 5 by WBA and No. 8 by WBC. “Handa na kami sa laban,” said Villamor who trains Nietes in Cebu. “Ang style ni Jimenez, fighter at pasok ng pasok, daming suntok. Kaya pa ni Donnie maging world champion dahil sa kaniyang disiplina sa sarili at sa training.”
Nietes said he now weighs about 125 pounds and shouldn’t find it difficult to trim down to 115. Nietes and Villamor will fly to Dubai late this month or early the next. “”Di pwede mag-kompyansa kasi nakalaban na rin mga world champions si Jimenez,” said Nietes who recently signed a promotional contract with Richard Schaefer’s Probellum. “Kung bigyan tayo ng pagkakataon, ang target ko sana si Estrada.” The WBA recognizes Estrada as its “super” champion and American Joshua Franco as its “regular” titleholder. Villamor said he hopes either Estrada or Franco will be next in line for Nietes who is ranked No. 4 by WBA, No. 2 by WBO and No. 6 by WBC.
Jimenez, 30, has fought twice for the WBA superflyweight belt, drawing with Japan’s Kohei Kono in Tokyo in 2014 and losing to Khalid Yafai on points in Rhode Island in 2019. Veteran ring official Silvestre Abainza was a judge in the Kono-Jimenez fight and scored it for the Japanese champion, 116-111. Abainza picked Nietes to beat Jimenez by decision. “Matalino si Donnie, nasa kondisyon at sobrang experienced,” said Abainza. “Magandang laban kasi si Jimenez ‘di umaatras. Si Donnie, marunong laruin ang kalaban.”
Jimenez got off to a slow start as a pro, losing seven of his first eight then rebounded by avoiding defeat in 32 of his last 33 to raise his record to 30-9-5, with 16 KOs. Nietes’ slate is 43-1-5, with 23 KOs. His only setback was a disputed split decision to Indonesia’s Angky Angkota in Jakarta in 2004.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025