Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes of the Philippines will be the next Filipino who will attempt to win a world crown for the country when he challenges International Boxing Federation strawweight champ Muhammad Rachman on October 28 in Palangkaraya City in Borneo Island, Indonesia.
Currently, the country has no world champion in its fold, although superstar Manny Pacquiao is more popular and respected than most world champions.
The Murcia, Bacolod City-native Nietes has an outstanding record of 17 wins, 1 loss, 3 draws with 9 KO's while the champion Rachman holds a fearsome 51-7-4, 23 KO's record.
In a long-distance interview with this writer, promoter Ndondo "Aseng Jr." Sugiarto revealed that Nietes has already been approved as Rachman's next opponent, although the fight contract has yet to be signed by the Filipino.
Sportsman Antonio L. Aldeguer, who manages Nietes, has earlier accepted the offer to pit his fighter against the veteran Indonesian champion, who is well-loved in his native country.
"I'm very happy with this latest development. I hope they send the contract as soon as possible," Aldeguer stressed.
According to Fightnews' ace writer Jeffrey Pamungkas, Rachman had received an offer of US$ 55,000 for a unification fight in Puerto Rico against the WBO champ Ivan Calderon.
"For a unification bout in Puerto Rico against Calderon the money offered is not good enough," Rachman was quoted as saying. "I won't refuse to fight in Calderon's home if the payment is good enough for me. Therefore, for the time being I prefer the fight against Nietes in Indonesia."
Rachman, known as "The Rock Breaker", had won the IBF title with a split decision verdict over Daniel Reyes in 2004, and made two successful defenses over Thailand's Fahlan Sakreerin before knocking out Mexican Omar Soto in the sixth in Jakarta last May.
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