Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes savors being part of elite group

THE longest-reigning Filipino world boxing champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes added to his legacy of greatness by becoming the third member of an elite group of Filipino fighters who has won world titles in at least three weight divisions.

Beating Thai Komgrich Nantapech for the vacant International Boxing Federation Flyweight Championship at ?Pinoy Pride 40: Domination? by unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, 34-year-old Nietes joined eight-division world champion Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao and four-weight champ Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire in the prestigious multiple weight champions group.

The IBF flyweight belt is in addition to his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight and light flyweight championships.

In beating Mr. Nantapech, the Murcia, Negros Occidental native had to overextend himself, needing to adjust his game plan as the fight wore on but did more than enough to claim the convincing 115-113, 117-111 and 117-111 unanimous decision victory.

Mr. Nietes, with the win, improved to 40-1-4 and remains undefeated for more than a decade now, while Mr. Nantapech dropped to 22-4 and halted his 15-fight winning streak.

Now in the company of Filipino boxing greats Pacquiao and Donaire, Mr. Nietes said it brings him so much pride.

?I feel privileged and honored to join Pacquiao and Donaire in the group. I?m very happy because very few have accomplished such feat,? said Mr. Nietes in the vernacular to sportswriters after his win.

?Like all my previous titles, this is one is special as well because it?s a product of a lot of sacrifice and hard work. The road to this was not easy,? added the champion.

Mr. Nietes, who was fighting in flyweight for only the second time after moving up in weight last year, admitted the victory over Mr. Nantapech did not come easy.

?My performance [tonight] was good although I must admit that I had a hard time. He was a tough opponent. I tried to knock him out but he was just tough. First four rounds I said to myself that I can finish him in the fifth or sixth round. But by the seventh round my corner said not to look for a knockout anymore and play it wisely and just score with points,? Mr. Nietes said.

Making it 2-0 so far in flyweight, Mr. Nietes said that he will stick around at 112-lb for a while and hopefully get a unification bout moving forward.

?I?ll stay with 112. I want to face all the champions in the division in the WBA (World Boxing Association), WBO and WBC (World Boxing Council). If I faced the other champions then I may climb up,? Mr. Nietes said.

Apart from Mr. Nietes, also victorious at Pinoy Pride 40 was Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo who improved to 16-0 after stopping his Tanzanian opponent Issa Nampepeche by technical knockout in the opening round of their co-main event.

Also winning was up-and-coming fighter Jeo Santisima, a unanimous decision (100-89, 100-89 and 100-89) victor over Master Suro of Indonesia.