The Snake Returns Victorious
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Mar 2009
The ALA gym?s Donnie "Ahas" Nietes came back to Cebu a conquering hero three days after successfully defending his WBO minimumweight world title in enemy territory against Mexican Erik Ramirez.
Team Nietes had a victory press conference Wednesday evening at the Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City. Nietes (24 W (KO 14) 1 L ? 3 D) knocked down the challenger four times in the 1st, 5th, 9th and 12th rounds. Together with trainer Edmund Villamor, he talked about their successful battle plan. Villamor saw that the double jab was working for Nietes which was used to set-up the overhand right that scored the multiple knockdowns. He was able to silence the 13,000 home fans every time he sent his opponent to the canvas.
Villamor was impressed with Nietes? ability to immediately adapt to the time zone difference, high altitude, and thin air of Oaxaca. His endurance was never in doubt. Nietes said he runs uphill for 45 minutes a day during training and uphill for an hour once a week. This was however, his first exposure to a higher altitude. He was also able to spar with compatriot Rodel Mayol in the wild card gym.
The night prior to the fight, Nietes was relaxed and was able to sleep early. His confidence never wavered during the hours of travel to the Americas. His victory earned him a full page photo spread in one of the Mexican newspapers.
This was the 26 year old Nietes? second successful title defense. His victory brought back memories of other Pinoy pugilists who scored significant wins in Mexico: 13 years ago Luisito Espinosa had his revenge 4th round KO win over Alejandro Gonzales in Guadalajara and successfully defended his WBC featherweight title. 3 years ago Rodel Mayol knocked out Lorenzo Trejo in 4 rounds in Cancun in a WBC minimumweight eliminator.
Nietes, who hails from Negros Occidental, is now being lined up to fight Mexican Manuel Vergas (26 W(KO 11) - 3 L- 1 D) , who holds the WBO interim belt in his division.
ABS-CBN will be replaying his fight with Ramirez. Too bad Nietes' defense was not aired live here at home. He may be a minimumweight but he has maximum talent. Knowledgeable fight fans know that the lower weights offer more excitement in terms of punch volume. This fight was also about getting attention and respect. In a stable full of bright stars, the Snake showed that winning is about having substance and not style.
Top photo: WBO minimumweight champ Donnie Nietes displays a Mexican newspaper during Wednesday's press conference in Cebu City. Photo by Dong Secuya.
L-R: ALA Promotions Vice-President Dennis Canete, Trainer Edmund Villamor, Donnie's father, Donnie's mother, Donnie's brother Dan and ALA President Michael Aldeguer during Wednesday night's presscon.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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