Donnie Nietes wins Sportwriters Association of Cebu's Athlete of the Year Award
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Feb 2011
Cebu City ? He is a low key boxer in a stable filled with stars. Yet, time and time again he demonstrated that substance and not style wins world title fights. For successfully defending his WBO minimumweight title for the fourth time, Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes was honored by Cebu sportswriters Saturday afternoon with a trophy stating that he is our Athlete of the Year.
But Nietes is much more than that. He campaigns in boxing's lightest division. A man, small in stature, who weighs only 105 lbs when he fights, showed his gigantic heart for the third straight time by winning on the road, his third straight in the heartland of boxing powerhouse Mexico.
Last August 12, 2010, challenger Mario ?Dragoncito? Rodriguez took him to deep waters in the sauna-like heat of Guasave. But Nietes would not be denied. Against the jeers of an unfriendly crowd, fighting fatigue and trying to stave off his opponent's last desperate stand, Nietes made sure the title would remain in Filipino hands.
Nietes, who hails from Bacolod City, has fought as a professional from Cebu's ALA Gym since 2003. Prior to his title win in 2007 against Pornsawan Porpramook, he was just an afterthought in the minds of fight fans. But slowly but surely, the former janitor showed us that inside the ring, he is the boss.
He is soft spoken or a more appropriate description would be silent but deadly, just like his pet snakes. He has remained humble and low key despite being world champion for three years and four months. For those who have been through life's tough moments, his rise to the top of the boxing world has become a source of inspiration to us all.
Top photo: WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes (C) poses with Cebu sports writers after receiving the Athlete of the Year award during the 29th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards held at the Ayala-Center Cebu Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026