NIETES PREPARES FOR 4TH TITLE DEFENSE JAN. 23
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Dec 2009
WBO minimumweight world champ Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will be making his fourth title defense against Ivan 'Polito' Meneses of Mexico on January 23, 2010 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Nietes (25W (14 KO's)-1L -3 D) is now entering his second month of training at the ALA Gym in Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City.
The champ trains six days a week and spars three times a week. He has sparred with Rocky Fuentes, Milan Melindo and Marjun Yap. Nietes does his morning roadwork running up the Busay Hills of Cebu. He also does sprints inside the ALA Gym. He has already seen fight films of Meneses and is very confident that he can beat the Mexican challenger.
“He is taller but I have sparred with Marjun Yap who is just as tall and even faster and stronger.” Nietes said.
Nietes holds the singular distinction of having back to back successful title defenses in Mexico this year against Mexican challengers Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas. It will take a very long time before another Filipino boxer can equal such a feat.
Meneses (14-5-1, 8KO's) fought only once outside of Mexico in October 2008 and lost to Adrian Hernandez by 10 round UD in Italy. Meneses has previously won the WBC FECARBOX minimumweight and WBO Latino minimumweight titles.
Nietes won the vacant WBO title last September 30, 2007 with a 12 round unanimous decision win over Thailand's Pornsawan Porpramook in a fight held at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City. Nietes will continue his training through the holiday season as it is the practice in the ALA Gym that their boxers only go home after their fight. But the 27 year old six year pro knows what he has to do. He is a champion who is not about to relinquish his crown anytime soon.
Top photo: Donnie Nietes, with his pet snake, at the ALA Gym Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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