SNAKE IN A DRAGON?S SHADOW
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Aug 2010
There is always the element of the unknown when a boxer fights outside his home turf. Some have thrived but many faltered. For the third time in his career, Donnie "Ahas" Nietes will enter a Mexican ring to defend his WBO minimumweight title.
His opponent, Mario "Dragoncito" Rodriguez has vowed to win the world title in his native Sinaloa. Rodriguez? record of 10 wins-5 losses-3 draws with 7 KO?s doesn?t exactly spell ?next world champ?. But he has trained long and hard. Like all Mexican fighters, he will fight like a demon and leave everything inside the ring. Fighting at home under the comfortable confines of Latino Box also helps.
Filipino boxing promoters will tell you that they envy the promotional budget of countries like Mexico and Japan. Their champions and even challengers can fight on home soil. There is money in the Philippines, but people with deep pockets keep sponsoring the wrong sport.
Nietes' ring monicker "Ahas" comes from his fondness and skill in handling the huge pythons inside the ALA gym grounds. He has already defended his title in Mexico twice. This experience has made him learn how to shut out the jeers and boos. He has learned to adapt to time zone differences, weather, and altitude. Even in front of a hostile crowd, he has behaved like a predator and not the prey.
But Nietes is an exception rather than the rule. Filipino boxers have been losing in succession this year on Mexican soil - Bert Batawang (L RTD 6), Denver Cuello (L DQ 3), Richie Mepranum (L TKO 5), Richard Garcia (L KO 4),Rodel Mayol (L UD 12)and Johnriel Casimero (L SD 12). Edrin Dapudong was also an exception when he stopped Jesus Jimenez in a single round for the WBC silver flyweight title.
Ironically, Nietes would be the last person Filipino boxing fans would think of when they hear the word exceptional. Being mislabeled as a non-marketable minimumweight has made him a road warrior. After three successful defenses, he has remained low key. But with only two remaining Filipino world champions left, fans and pundits are now giving him a second look and starting to appreciate the value of his professionalism and consistency.
Nietes has always said that he doesn?t mind defending his title in Mexico. He fought abroad to earn people?s respect. But a champion also deserves the adulation of his hometown fans. He should defend his title in Bacolod City at least once.
The 28 year old Nietes (26W-1L-3D, 15 KO?s) has worked and fought his way from being a gym janitor to a world champion who is now enjoying the third year of his reign. If you can?t respect that, you can?t respect anyone.
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