As of the moment, the big fights can wait for Donnie Nietes, as he focuses on winning his third world title
Nietes, the country’s longest-reigning world champion, has been wanting to face the biggest names in his new division. Sadly, none of his wishes have yet to materialize due to various reasons.
It has been frustrating for the two-division champion not to get the fights he has wanted since clearing the minimumweight and light-flyweight divisions over the past 10 years. Despite this, he remains upbeat about the possibilities, believing that a win in tomorrow’s IBF world title clash will be the key.
“Yun talaga yung gusto kong makalaban, yung mga big names (kaso) wala tayong magawa kung umakyat sila ng timbang,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“So sa atin na lang, kung sinong nanatiling world champion sa flyweight, yun nalang siguro yung gusto kong kalabanin.”
More than just possibly winning the belt this weekend, there will be plenty at stake as far as Niete’s future plans are concerned. The title gives him the first step towards the direction of unification opportunities against formidable champions like Zou Shiming, Kasuto Ioka ,and Juan Hernandez.
Once he gets past those fights, he can move to super flyweight and finally challenge Ramon “Chocolatito” Gonzales and Juan Fransisco Estrada.
With that in mind, Ahas does not want to give his Thai foe an inch of chance to spoil his plans, promising to go for the kill and show that he is a force to be reckoned with at flyweight.
“Siyempre lahat ng laban ko, hindi ako nagu-underestimate,” Nietes added. “Hindi ako magbibigay ng kumpyansa kasi nagtraining din sila at gusto din nilang makuha yung korona so bawat ng laban ko, dapat nakahanda.
“Patikim ko sa kanya yung bagong power ko, patikim ko sakanya na kahit na may edad na, pag makatama sa kanya, like 22.”
Pinoy Pride 40: Domination weigh in results
Waterfront Hotel Resort and Casino, Cebu City
IBF World Flyweight Championship: Donnie Nietes (112 lbs) vs Komgrich Nantapech (112 lbs)
Featherweight bout: Mark Magsayo (126.2 lbs) vs Issa Nampacheche (124.6 lbs)
Super Bantamweight bout: Jeo Santisima (122.8 lbs) vs Master Suro (122.4 lbs)
Super Bantamweight bout: Virgil Vitor (121.8 lbs) vs Michael Escobia (122.2lbs)
Flyweight bout: Junrel Jimenez (112.8 lbs) vs Romulo Ramayan (111.2 lbs)
Super Flyweight bout: Kenneth Gentallan (112.4 lbs) vs John Kenan Villaflor (113.8 lbs)
Flyweight bout: Esneth Domingo (111.4 lbs) vs Ramil Antaran (111.2 lbs)
Minimumweight bout: Christian Bacolod (108.4 lbs) vs Michael Kinaadman (103.4 lbs)
