Tony Aldeguer imports a knockout
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 12 May 2014
DONNIE Nietes did not have to get rid of the pet python that had crawled with his lusterless world boxing crown through the years.
The WBO 108-lb ruler instead imported a man-size sting of a knockout to turn his career around.
Correction: It was actually Tony Aldeguer, premier Cebu sportsman, who brought in the knockout wonder all the way from the United States.
?The changes came after we connected with our new conditioning coach Nick Curson,? explained Aldeguer, fondly known as ALA, in a text message the morning after Nietes scored a sizzling ninth round stoppage at the Mall of Asia (MOA) to retain his crown.
His victim was Moises Fuentes, mandatory challenger from Mexico, against whom Nietes had a droopy majority draw in Cebu last year.
**
Aldeguer was a lot more exultant than the 31-year-old KO winner.
For the record, Aldeguer had absorbed telling blows in previous Pinoy Pride presenations that saw his major warriors, like AJ Banal and Milan Melindo, suffer tragic losses.
The most stinging of these failures was the recent fall of Merlito Sabillo, sensational former street fighter from Bacolod, who got stopped in a Mexico title defense.
?This was most frustrating, I was shattered, we?d done everthing to ensure victory,? Aldeguer told one newsman who tried to condole with him.
?There are times like this when I feel like quitting the boxing scene for good, but I just happen to love the sport,? Aldeguer explained.
**
Anyway, with practically all his ranked fighters relegated to the junkyard, Aldeguer refused to sulk and lick his wounds.
He got off the ropes, so to say, and turned around the corner.
He proceeded to quietly engineer the repair and resurgence of Nietes, generally perceived to be veering towads retirement with a series of feeble, unsteady wins by decision.
As traced by ALA, trainer Curson first worked with Nietes for a full month in the United States.
Then they brought Curson to Cebu to continue training for another month.
?He did wonders to Nietes,? Aldeguer exclaimed.
**
Sir Tony, revered patriarch of the Aldeguer clan in Cebu, would neither confirm nor deny whether he finally got tired of the dumb results being submitted by his local training staff.
But what came out of his ultimate decision to seek foreign help (in training) was a most startling result for Philippine boxing that still relies heavily on less-than-competent teachers and a wacky system.
Almost in a snap, the inborn talent and skills of Nietes, rendered dormant through the years, resurfaced.
The result was a polished warrior, blessed with great poise, power and sharpness.
Suddenly gone was petty puncher of old who had the sloppy habit of pushing, instead of spearing, his shots.
As for ALA, he could get a bonus if wonder worker Nick Curson could also restore and reform faded stars, starting with Boom Boom Bautista, whom Aldeguer had reluctantly pluck from retirement.
Or is that still possible?
Photo: Team Nietes celebrates (L-R): Conditioning coach Nick Curson, rainer Edmund Villamor, Nietes and trainer Edito Villamor. Partly hidden is cutman Dr Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025