THE president of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Francisco ?Paco? Valcarcel, himself came all the way here to the Philippines to hand WBO and The Ring light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes a rare award–the ring of super champions.
For Nietes? exploits with the WBO, the world boxing sanctioning body has recognized his greatness and has given him a beautiful ring that is topped with diamonds and emeralds.
?I have a lot of respect for Donnie because he was also our champion at 105 pounds. I promised to be here. He also broke a record of a famous Filipino fighter Flash Elorde. I believe that he?ll get inducted in the Hall of Fame after he retires. He is a great guy and a great champion,? said Valcarcel.
Only some of the best names in boxing have received this ring– Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Joe Calzaghe and Oscar de la Hoya.
Nietes is a WBO champion in the mini flyweight and light flyweight divisions. He won the vacant WBO mininimumweight belt in 2007 with a unanimous decision over then unbeaten Pornsawan Porpramook. He defended the title four times.
Nietes, who still was the mini-flyweight champion, dethroned Ramon Garcia-Hirales for the WBO light flyweight belt in 2011 with a unanimous decision victory.
He has defended it six times. He will be defending it for the seventh time tonight against Mexican challenger Francisco Rodriguez at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, the same place where he won his first world title eight years ago.
