SLITHER: AN AFTERNOON CHAT WITH DONNIE ?Ahas? NIETES
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 11 Dec 2009
Donnie Nietes has been training for a month now for his fourth title defense. The WBO minimumweight champion just goes about his business without any hype. But he exudes the quite confidence of a six year pro who already knows what it takes to win.
He used to work as a janitor and utility man in the same gym where he is presently the lone world champion. Did he ever dream that he would win a world title?
?No, I never thought this would happen to me. I used to clean the ring canvas, make sure the gym was clean?now I?m a world champion. Who would have thought??
It has been two years now since he won the vacant WBO 105 lb. title with a 12 round unanimous decision win over Thailand's Pornsawan (Kratingdaengym) Porpramook in a fight held at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City. After three successful defenses, Nietes is still low key despite the fact that he holds the rare distinction of making back to back successful title defenses in Mexico this year against Mexican challengers Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas.
?It makes no difference to me if I?m fighting in front a hostile crowd or before my own countrymen.? He said.
His feat earned him the tag ?Silent Mexicutioner.? Silent but deadly, as his ring monicker ?Ahas? suggests; just like his pet snakes that he keeps inside the ALA Gym premises. He even brought his pet python out for a photo-op with this writer.
Nietes has used his earnings to remodel his parents? house. He has also invested in a piggery in his hometown of Bacolod City. The 27 year old Nietes is still single.
?I?m still looking.? He said with a smile.
Does he have a dream opponent?
?If given a chance, I would like to fight the champion of the WBC, Oleydong Sithamerchai of Thailand. I was also thinking of Ulises Solis but he lost to Brain Viloria?
I asked him if given a chance to have a better education, what profession would he choose?
?Electronics. Fix appliances, that sort of thing.?
Nietes is still comfortable in his weight category. He currently weighs 117 but he said he will have no problem shedding the extra pounds in the next seven weeks.
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. The champ trains five to 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.
Last Wednesday, Nietes ran sprints with Michael Domingo as well as stretching and abdominal strengthening exercises. He has already seen fight videos of Meneses and is confident of victory.
?He is taller but I have sparred with Marjun Yap who is also tall and even faster and stronger. I know I can beat Meneses.? Nietes said this with the coolness of a seasoned professional who has performed at the highest level. He knows how to get the job done.
The canvas he once cleaned is now his office. Once inside the ring, he knows he is the boss.
(Photo below: The champ with his pet python and the author)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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