Philippines, 16 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONNIE NIETES QUIETLY TOILS IN THE BACKGROUND


PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES -- If one would browse the web about Filipino boxers who are now in the forefront, the name of Donnie Nietes would not be at the top, at least in the news reports.

That does not seem to be quiet right, as the young man from the ALA Gym in Cebu is a legitimate World Champion!

In the past weeks all one would see and read would be about the others, notably Manny Pacquiao. But, then again that is rightly so as the man known as Pacman is the best pound4pound boxer in the world at present, the return of the big mouth Floyd Mayweather Jr. notwithstanding.

But next to Pacquiao, lately more news had been about the others who are only contending for a world title, let alone having held one. Sure, they have a better than a great chance of winning one, but just the same they do not have a world title in hand. At least, not yet.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining about what the others are getting in terms of exposure. I am complaining about what Nietes does not.

Being a champion separates Nietes from the others. And, he had successfully defended his title. And he did it away from home.

And, he is about to do it again on September 12th.

That alone should merit him more press.

Donnie Nietes is invading Nayarit, Mexico to defend his title against a home town boy, Manuel Vargas. The Mexican challenger holds a very respectable record of 26-3-1, (11K0) He is the current Interim WBO Minimum weight champion, therefore a formidable opponent.

Realistically, Donnie deserves more ink that what he had been getting lately. After all, if he did not win the WBO Minimum weight title, the Philippines would have one less champion. With Gerry Penalosa giving up his bantamweight title, all the country now has is Pacquiao, Donaire and Viloria, besides Nietes.

It seems that the lack of ink spread for Nietes can be traced to the fact that he is a fighting on the lightest weight division, the 108 lbs limit. Except in certain countries like Mexico and in Asia, such division does not draw much attention. Therefore, less money. And, less money would ultimately lead to less interest and thus less press.

On top of that Nietes has a naturally quiet demeanor. And much like his pet snake, he would rather do his talking through his actions.

But regardless, as I previously mentioned, he is a current world champion. If we then base the amount of press he deserves on his ring achievements, certainly he deserves more than what he has been getting lately.

But, press or no press Nietes knows his responsibilities. And, he understands what his exploits on the ring will mean to his future, his family and the glory of his country. Thus, he toils quietly in the background to get that done.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 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.