NIETES IS NOW WBO NO. 1

SEOUL, KOREA--WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo has informed that Filipino fighter Donnie Nietes has just moved up into the top spot of the WBO minimumweight rankings for May, thus solidifying his chances of getting a crack at the world title this year.

Nietes, who holds the WBO Asia Pacific title, moved up a notch higher from his previous ranking, swapping places with Thailand's Oleydong Sithchanerchai who holds a belt from a rival boxing body.

The ALA Boy Nietes hopes to challenge WBO minimumweight champion Ivan Calderon, but as the latter plans on moving up in weight to challenge Hugo Cazares, Nietes will now train his sights on the highest available contender for the vacated title.

Down two notches below is Nicaraguan Juan Palacios at no. 3, whom promoter Sammy Gello-ani might tap to face Nietes.

Meanwhile, Korea has just been added to the growing list of countries which hold the WBO Youth title, following the majority decision win today of Hee Jae Jo over Filipino Fernando Otic for the vacant WBO Youth super-featherweight crown.

The WBO Youth has been making inroads into the Asian boxing scene, with promoters inquiring and promoting for its title belts.

Aside from Korea, the other countries with WBO Youth title-holders include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand while countries like New Zealand and China (Macau) are expected to follow suit.