Philippines, 13 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Finally, Respect for Nietes


PhilBoxing.com




Why did Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes go into the hometown of his opponent in Mexico to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight championship of the world? To some, it wouldn?t make sense. To others, it was like committing suicide. But to Donnie, it was all about respect.

Respect he should earn now, after defending his championship through a convincing unanimous decision win over challenger Erik Ramirez in a fight that saw the Mexican hitting the deck four times. And Nietes did all this in Ramirez?s hometown of Oaxaca , Mexico. The irony of it all is that it was Nietes who wanted the fight badly just to gain respect from the boxing community.

In a presscon held for Nietes the other night, ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer said that after winning the WBO world championship and defending it once here in Cebu, it was imperative that Nietes fight and win a big one abroad to gain the recognition that has somehow eluded him since he won the belt in 2007.

?Respect is what he?s looking for. A third fight here wouldn?t have helped. He needed this for his career. But more importantly, he really wanted this one. Donnie?s dream was to fight a Mexican in Mexico,? Aldeguer said.

Knowing that the odds were stacked against him even if he was the defending champion, Nietes relied on his excellent conditioning, rigid mental preparation, his overhand right and the bonus of a small ring to get the job done. Fighting in Mexico for the first time was not a major issue for Nietes who was unusually calm and mentally focused for the fight. Nietes scored his first knockdown through an overhand right hand in the very first round even if the plan then was to study the opponent early in the fight. The same right hand sent the challenger down three more times in the fifth, ninth and twelfth round to throw away any doubts on the fight?s outcome.

Trainer Edmund Villamor acknowledged that it was Nietes? consistent use of the double jab that set up the right hand. Nietes was the aggressor for most of the fight while Ramirez seemed to have adopted a fight plan of just simply piling up points from a boxer?s stance. The smaller ring helped the cause of Nietes as Ramirez as a target didn?t have much room for running. In the end, Nietes won on the scorecards of all three judges. Cesar Ramos and Victor Salomon scored the bout 115-109 and 116-108, respectively for Nietes, while Jon Stewart scored it a close 113-111 also for Nietes, a score which raised some eyebrows. If Nietes hadn?t scored at least three knockdowns, he would?ve lost in Stewart?s scorecard.

Another Mexican is next in line for Nietes. Even before getting the chance to give Nietes a warm welcome, Team ALA was already instructed by the WBO to start negotiations with the promoters of WBO interim champion Manuel Vargas for a showdown for the regular championship of Nietes. Vargas is handled by well-known promoter Fernando Beltran, the same promoter of Erik Morales, Jose Luis Castillo and Ulysses Solis.

After defending his title twice, Team ALA hopes that Nietes finally proves that he belongs up there with his more popular stablemates like Z Gorres, Boom Boom Bautista and AJ Banal. ?In Team ALA , we always believed that Donnie always had it. ALA himself believed in Donnie,? Aldeguer quipped.

The big question now is whether or not the boxing public will give him the respect he deserves.

Top photo: Nietes celebrates after successfully defending his title in Mexico.


Nietes displays his belt during Wednesday night's presscon at the Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rico Navarro.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS AND UISMA LIMA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING: BOXFEST XVI – OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • Irish amateur star Jim Donovan Right back in ring after pro debut
    , Fri, 10 Oct 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.