Philippines, 20 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Nietes vs Waseem Postponed


PhilBoxing.com





Donnie Nietes was just about to climb onto the ring Saturday in Dubai to fight for his 5th world title.

But in the last minute, the fight got postponed.

Reason: the staff in charge of securing Waseem visa to the UAE made a fatal mistake in the processing, submitting wrong information to authorities in the UAE.

The error, of course, led to UAE immigration authorities to reject the wrong data. Waseem visa was not issued.

The postponement a disappointment for boxing fans. for Donnie and for Waseem.

Waseem was let down, not only for the purse that he did not get, but also for the chance of sharing the ring with the Pinoy legend, a man one day likely to be inducted into the boxing hall of fame.

That's why Waseem had been training hard.

Because, in his mind, he was about to be in a difficult mission against an experienced, skilled, big-heart warrior as the Negros Occidental great.

Yes indeed, Waseem was excited to share the spotlight with the affable, friendly and polite Filipino former 4-division world champion born in beautiful and peaceful Murcia, not far from the thrilling City of Bacolod.

What's more, the rumble was supposed to be for the vacant IBO bantamweight title.

Yes, the IBO belt is not as popular and prestigious as the one of the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF. But it is still an important title, and a winning it, could lead to knocking on golden doors in the hot bantamweight division.

According to various reports from Pakistan and the UAE, what happened was like this:

The talented, world-class Waseem was denied the visa specifically because a crucial mistake was made by the staff who was tasked with the job of filling out and submitting Waseem's application.

That's what was wrong.

Waseem had been in Scotland, looking forward to flying on Thursday to Dubai to meet Donnie, as well as the scale for the weigh-in ceremony on Friday, and then on to battle Donnie on Saturday.

That did not happen.

Of course, without a visa, Waseem could not fly. The outcome was a huge loss for the promoter "Disrupt Promotions," for the boxers, for their teams and for the sponsors.

For next time, it might be wise to ask for the assistance of a travel agency expert in visas.

As a result of all of this, the world title fight of Nietes with Waseem is now POSTPONED till further notice.

As fans might remember, Waseem has been out of the ring since his last fight in March of last year in Dubai, when he lost by points to reigning IBF flyweight world champion Sunny Edwards.

Now he wants to jump from 112 to 118 to battle Nietes. That is ok. Up to him.

Meanwhile, the popular Donnie "Ahas" Nietes is returning to action after his defeat by points in July of last year to Japanese reigning 115 world champion Kazuto Ioka.

The fight was being organized by newly formed Dubai-based Disrupt Promotions (who really got disrupted).

There is not yet official information from Disrupt Promotions on when/where will take place Nietes (43-2-6, 23 KO's) vs Waseem (12-2, 8 KO).

But fans guess that it might be sometime later this year in "The City of Gold," Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Philboxing.com will advise you. Don't worry.


The author Carlos Costa of Panama is an senior boxing writer living Asia since 1991. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • “The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
    , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.