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:
Filipino 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 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Tue, 10 Feb 2026