Philippines, 03 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Second Overtime: World class training plus sage coaching advice equals Nietes masterpiece


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- At age 36, with 346 rounds under his belt, Donnie Nietes was supposed to be old, over matched against a hungry lion in Aston Palicte, who was taller, bigger and stronger.

But when they fought last Sunday for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight belt at The Forum in Inglewood, California, Nietes did not fade like well-worn shoes. He dominated Palicte instead, landing with more total punches, 194-124, more power punches, 112-89, and more jabs, 89-35.

So how did the 5-foot-3 Nietes pull off the caper against a 5-foot-7 foe that was nine years younger had a nearly three-inch reach advantage?

Scientific preparation and an effective game plan.

Under the watchful eyes of strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson, a 44-year old Calfornia native who has an impressive list of clients in the MMA and a few in the NBA, Nietes went through a 10-week camp in which he built his frame and packed eight pounds of muscle.

Instead of the archaic road work and sparring over kill, Curson focused Nietes' training on a unique combination of rehabilitative workouts, plyometrics, and sports specific exercises. The diet was also disciplined, filled with dense quality foods that allowed Donnie's aging body to produce energy more efficiently.

Curson's magic formula reestablished Nietes as an elite, world-class fighter who not only fought like he was 26, not 36, but was limber as a contortionist throughout the 12-round duel.

To beat Palicte, a heavy-hitter who charged hard like a credit card early on, Nietes needed more than just his 15 years and five months of pro ring experience. He needed the perfect strategy. And that's where the wisdom of the Villamors -- chief trainer Edito and his younger brother Edmond --- came into play.

Keep the fight to the center of the ring and avoid the ropes like meningitis were the marching orders. And Nietes, ever the dutiful soldier, followed his instructions diligently.

He moved his feet beautifully, ducked hostile bombs like a daredevil, and he counter-punched marvelously, riffling back a blur of swift, measured blows that often stalled the advancing Palicte.
Nietes, a three-division champ with a 41-1-5 slate, displayed the tools that has kept him unbeaten in 14 years.

Palicte was correctly advised by his corner to diversify his assault, to throw upper cuts and hooks in the mix and not just rely on his powerful 1-2 jab-straight combination. But in the end. Aston, a great figher with 20 KOs in 24 wins, simply couldn't solve the riddle that was Donnie Nietes.

THE VILLAMOR BROTHERS are one of the few, underappreciated treasures in pro boxing. They have their stuff put well together and conduct their business without fanfare.. And they could care less whether or not the world takes notice.

When the stupid draw was announced, an ill-conceived verdict that was universally crucified, there was no outrage from Team Nietes . They aired nothing but a courageous acceptance of their cruel fate.

That was the only way they know how to react to injustice. This is the ALA way of life.

It is indeed amazing that in boxing, a sport so savage and so corrupt, can also be distinguished by the poise and strength of character shown by Edito and Donnie in the face of unfairness.

If two of the judges were not blind, and if fate had not been so unkind, Nieties would have made history as only the third Filipino after Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr. to win titles in four different weight classes.

To borrow the words of poet John Greenleaf Whittier: For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, it might have been.


Photos: Team Nietes with brothers and trainers in arms Edito and Edmond Villamor, join Donnie Nietes and strength and conditioning coach Nick Cusron at at get-together in Monterrey Park California on Sunday night. Other photo shows Curson wrapping Nietes with a sympathetic arm after the questionable draw was announced.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
    , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Rosia captures PBF super fly title
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • “Thrilla” guest list
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 28 Sep 2025
  • Why Do So Many Boxers Play eGames?
    , Sun, 28 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.