Philippines, 07 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Donnie Nietes Lands At 108


PhilBoxing.com




It was Donnie Nietes? first fight at the 108lb division after coming up from the Minimumweight class, but it seemed as though his diminutive opponent from Mexico was the one moving up. The WBO Minimumweight World Champion was beaming with confidence in his corner, waiting for the bell to signal the fight, staring at Armando Vasquez, who made a promise not to run away from him in the ring. The whole crowd waited in anticipation, perhaps expecting Nietes to win handily in his hometown. Donnie looked real good physically. He knew he had a three inch height advantage over the 5?0 Vasquez with a significant reach advantage to go with it.

When the bell rang both fighters almost instantly exploded towards the middle of the ring, moving in to seize each other up. Nietes? harpoon jabs immediately posed a problem for the game Mexican who deflected them with both hands up, showing decent defense. Both were moving really well into the fight, and when Vasquez made a mark with the first power punch that landed clean on Niete?s face the crowd oohed in excitement. ALA Promotions had done a splendid job for the whole event, packing in a good undercard list, and the crowd in Bacolod was thrilled to watch their very own local hero showcase his talent. After the fight, in a Videoke bar, Donnie Nietes told me personally in our semi-victory party that he had come prepared to fight a long match and that ALA Promotions conditioning coach, Pio Solon had done really well preparing him for it.

Donnie Nietes seemed to have found his new home at the 108 weight class, but the Mexican stood his ground. He came at the Filipino with speed and good combinations to the body as the latter employed his technical skills to defend himself, at times moving out, stepping back to suck him in for a counter. Donnie Nietes was cited as among the top five 105 pounders of all time by Bert Randolph Sugar and Teddy Atlas? ?The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists? and that night I witnessed this in truth from the press row. I leaned forward intently to study his moves and witness him perform. The whole crowd was locked in to the fight. Yet before I could immerse myself completely onto Donnie Nietes? artwork he had pushed himself forward to corner his foe and found an opening for a wicked right hook to the Mexican?s chin that abruptly ended the fight.

Donnie Nietes? made a clear statement that night and made us all want for more.


The author (L) with Nietes during Saturday's event in Bacolod city.


Mark F. Villanueva
Philippine Islands

Mark currently lives in Iloilo City and can be followed through http://twitter.com/markfvillanueva


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark F. Villanueva.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.