SNAKE EYES III: Can ?Ahas? Nietes score a three-peat in Mexico?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Jul 2010
WBO minimumweight world champ Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes will defend his title for the third time in Mexico this August 14 against Mario ?Dragoncito? Rodriguez of Guasave,Sinaloa. Nietes has sparred for 300 rounds at the ALA Gym in Cebu in preparation for this daunting task of winning his fourth title defense in front of a hostile crowd.
It was on September 30, 2007 when 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.
In 2008, he knocked out Eddy Castro in the second round in his first title defense also in Cebu. Last year, Nietes accomplished a rare feat in making back to back successful title defenses in Mexico against Mexican challengers Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas.
Last January 2010, he beat another Mexican, Jesus Silvestre by 10th round TKO in a non-title fight held in Pasay City. Nietes was one of the five boxers honoured during the 28th Cebu Sports Awards held last March. But it is only the die-hard boxing fans who have learned to appreciate his value as a well rounded boxer and a reliable road warrior.
There are the obvious apprehensions regarding Nietes? third trip to Mexico especially when Pinoy boxing fans think about what happened to Rodel Mayol and Denver Cuello this year.
But the former janitor from Bacolod City is no stranger to adversity. His present struggles are mild compared to what he went through in life to get to the top. Success has not spoiled him despite the fact that going into his third year as champ, he is now ranked fifth among the Filipino boxing champions with the longest reigns in one division; Flash Elorde holds the record as a seven year world junior lightweight champ followed by Jesus Salud, Luisito Espinosa and Ben Villaflor.
Winning twice in Mexico gave Nietes a combination of name recognition and notoriety in that country. Now he will have to work thrice as hard to win there for the third time.
Nietes has also recovered from the loss of his favourite pet python ?Don? who died a few weeks ago. He still has two snakes left but they will not be a part of his entourage in Mexico.
It was announced during a press conference held Tuesday evening at the Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City that Nietes? fight will be aired on GMA TV. Nietes? rags to riches story continues with his partnership with the television network. He has invested his money well and now has his own car and house. The discipline instilled during his early years in the ALA Gym has paid off and made him more responsible. Now, he intends to stay champion for a long time.
Top photo: World champion Donnie Nietes (C) poses with (L-R) Trainers Edito Villamor, Edmund Villamor, ALA President Michael Aldeguer, VP Dennis Canete and PR man Chad Canares during the send-off dinner Tuesday night at Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City. Photo by Dong Secuya
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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