Philippines, 13 Feb 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:

  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 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.