THE likelihood is that an unlikely boxer will deliver the first official world crown coming from the stable of respected Cebu businessman Tony ?Ala? Aldeguer.
Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes will be gunning for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight crown against top Thai contender Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym on September 30 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu.
The 25-year-old Nietes is fighting under the ALA Boxing Stable, a noted boxing club in Mandaue City that has produced several world-caliber fighters that currently include Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista, Z ?The Dream? Gorres, Czar Amonsot and AJ ?Bazooka? Banal.
Nietes has been patiently waiting for his time to shine and, even though most of his bouts happened in major boxing cards staged in Cebu, all of them served as undercards to his more illustrious stablemates.
?Pangarap naman lahat ng boxers na maging world champion. Ako naman ang may pagkakataon kaya sisikapin ko na makapagbigay ng world title hindi lang para sa ALA kundi para na din sa bansa natin,? said Nietes, who always brings along his pet python during his colorful ring entrances.
Nietes, who started his amateur career at age 12 in his native Murcia in Negros Occidental, said it was his fervent wish to join the ALA boxing stable when he learned about its reputation as a producer of excellent fighters ?in and out? of the ring. His uncle Dan fought both as an amateur and professional under Aldeguer.
As his sort of entry-level opportunity to make the cut with ALA boxing team, he joined his Uncle Dan by working as a utility boy for the spanking gym in 2000. The elder Nietes was already working as one of the gym?s trainers then.
?Nagsimula ako bilang utility sa ALA. Pagkatapos mag-ensayo ng lahat ng boxers, ako ang naglilinis bago ako mag-ensayo,? disclosed Nietes in a telephone interview with the BusinessMirror. ?Noong una gusto kong sumali sa amateur team pero sabi ni sir ALA matanda na ako para mag-amatuer kaya nag-pro na din ako.?
In turning pro, Nietes has already tallied an imposing record of 21-1-3, with 13 knockouts. Kratingdaenggym has an equally sterling record of 20-0, with 15 KOs.
In a separate telephone interview, Aldeguer expressed confidence that Nietes will win either by knockout or a convincing verdict.
?The Thai is undefeated, but he is not a strong puncher. If Donnie can stand the Thai?s punches, then he has a good chance of winning the title,? said Aldeguer.
It was also in Aldeguer?s gym were world champion Gerry Pe?alosa and former world titleholders Malcolm Tu?acao and Joma Gamboa started their boxing careers, though all of them became world champions under separate managers.
?During their time they were offered good money by managers and promoters and they had the decency to inform me of their desire to accept those offers,? said Aldeguer. ?I treat them like my own, so why would I deprive them of a chance to earn more? I?m really proud of their achievements.?
Supporters of Aldeguer are hopeful Nietes will finally give the well-liked boxing patron his long-deserved tribute by winning the crown.
