DONNIE CELEBRATES
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Jun 2014
WBO light flyweight and Ring magazine lineal world champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes is back in Cebu after a well deserved vacation. His victory party was a bit overdue. Nietes also turned 32 three days after his all-important rematch victory against Moises Fuentes of Mexico at the Mall of Asia Arena last month.
It was an informal but cheery affair, or as we say in Cebuano ?inato lang?. But the celebration was heartfelt and also a chance for boxing enthusiasts to share their insights. Cebu boxing scribes and photographers who have covered his exploits through the years were there together attended the gathering at Patio Isabel together with ALA gym patriarch Antonio Aldeuger and trainers Edito Villamor, Peter Cuizon and Michael Domingo.
Nietes has held world titles at the 105 and 108 lb divisions since September 2007. He is nearing the cherished record of Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde, who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven years and three months from 1960 to 1967.
Aldeguer idolized Elorde and it is quite fitting that his prized boxer, Nietes will get to surpass the longevity of the Flash?s reign. Aldeguer also had a very meaningful and informative post-dinner chat with the sportswriters about the growing threat facing Filipino boxers ? opponents who use performance enhancing drugs (PEDS) at the regional and world title level.
Many of the cheaters don?t get caught. And if you consider the fact that the cost of random testing is more expensive compared to the average purse of a Filipino boxer, this will continue to be a problem in the years to come.
Nietes will possibly see action again this October; Fight fans will definitely look forward to his return.
When Nietes was starting his reign in the minimumweight division, most Filipinos could not identify him in a line-up. He would just sit in a corner during public workouts or weigh-ins held inside the malls of Cebu while the fans gathered around his more popular stablemates like AJ Banal and Rey Bautista.
Even when he bravely defended his title three times in Mexico and proceed to win a second division title, Nietes languished under the shadows of Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria. But he continued to do his job and win.
Things were different leading into his rematch against Fuentes. During his last public workout in Cebu, fans gathered around Nietes for photo-ops. It was a sign that slowly but surely, he was getting to be recognized.
The sensational stoppage win against Fuentes was a career best performance. Being mobbed by fans and sportswriters seconds after his victory was declared was another sign that he has emerged from the shadows.
But the best thing about Nietes (33W-1L-4D,19KO?s) is that he has always carried himself like a champion outside the ring. He remains decent and humble and has never been involved in any scandal. Nietes will possibly see action again this October; Fight fans will definitely look forward to his return. For now, he will savor the moment and the acknowledgement from the boxing writers that he is one of the finest Filipino champions in recent years.
TOP PHOTO ? Donnie Nietes with boxing/MMA columnist Atty. Jingo Quijano of Sunstar Cebu and the champ?s birthday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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