World boxing minimumweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes returned home yesterday and received a hero?s welcome from his townmates in Murcia and from the officials of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
In Murcia, people lined up the streets to cheer Nietes as the motorcade organized by the town leaders, led by Vice Mayor Joselino Santiago, passed by. At the Municipal Hall, employees took turns in posing for souvenir shots with the reigning WBO minimumweight king, who successfully defended his title against Mexican Erik Ramirez in Mexico.
Nietes, who was accompanied by his parents Josue, and Renilla, said he was overwhelmed by the warm reception he received from his fellow Murciahanons, and vowed to do better in his next title-defense fight, tentatively set in July against another Mexican, Manuel Vargas.
?I never expected this. It feels great to be back home and to see all these people being happy for what I accomplished,? Nietes said.
Looking back to his fight against Ramirez, he said the Mexican challenger was a tough fighter who survived the four knockdowns he endured in the first, fifth, ninth and twelfth round.
?It was a good fight and I was confident of beating Ramirez although we were fighting in his hometown,? Nietes said.
Inspired by the phenomenal success achieved by Filipino boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, the Negrense champion said he also aspires to follow in the footsteps of the Pacman.
From Murcia, Nietes, accompanied by Games and Amusement commissioner and Negros Amateur Boxing Association president Juan Ramon Guanzon proceeded to the Capitol where Gov. Isidro Zayco was hosting a lunch for employees and fellow government officials in celebration of his birthday.
After congratulating Nietes, Zayco turned to Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was among his guests, and jokingly told him ?Kon may Pacquiao ka, may Nietes man ko (If you got a Pacquiao, then I have my Nietes, too).?
Presenting Nietes to the crowd in the Capitol, Zayco said he is proud of the Negrense boxer for bringing honor and glory to the country and to the province.
From the Capitol, the WBO reigning titlist was brought to the Bacolod New Government Center where Mayor Leonardia, along with the city officials, gave him a plaque of recognition for his victory over Ramirez.
During the City?s Charter Anniversary last year, Nietes received the Dungganon Nga Bacolodnon award from the City Government of Bacolod.
Leonardia said that Bacole?os were elated upon hearing the news of Nietes? successful title defense in Mexico.
He added that the champion boxer will serve as an inspiration to all ring fighters in Bacolod to pursue their dream of making it big in boxing.*NAB
