Philippines, 27 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NIETES READY FOR BATTLE


PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES ? WBO Minimumweight Champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes's preparation and conditioning for his next title defense has gone down to a few more days before taking on challenger Mario 'El Dragoncito' Rodriguez of Mexico at Luis Estrada Medina Stadium in Guasave, Sinaloa on August 14.

Arriving here Saturday last week primarily to attune himself to the American time zone, Nietes and trainer Edmund Villamor, at exactly 11 am everyday, routinely take 3rd St from their Kenmore apartment heading west then turn right at Rossmore Ave straight to Vine St where the famous Wildcard Card Gym of Freddie Roach is located.

Nietes has been tapering off his training and this Friday morning, Nietes has only done a few rounds of mitts work with Villamor. However, the intensity, the quickness, the sharpness and the power of Nietes' punches when they hit the mitts where quite evident as he stood out in a gym full boxers who were also doing their regular training regimen. The months of preparation has now spread out to the body of Donnie Nietes like a pent-up volcano.

?Nagpanikad (ready to be unleashed),? the humble Nietes says with quiet confidence.

?He's ready for battle,? Villamor joined in.

?I like him and I like his style,? Vince Parra, who is now managing and co-training Filipino lightweight prospect Mercito Gesta says of Nietes. ?He reminds me very much of [former WBO bantamweight champion] Cruz Carbajal in his prime who I trained before. The way he uses his footwork, he is always ready to unleash those power shots and that is very difficult to do. His style is very different from the Filipino fighters that I saw.?

Nietes will do more light training until he breaks camp on Tuesday.

ALA Promotions Vice-President Dennis Canete and ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor are expected to hit LA Friday night. Together with Philboxing's Dr Ed de la Vega who will act as cutman and this writer, Team Nietes will depart for Mexico on Wednesday in time for the press conference and other official functions.

The Niestes vs Rodriguez world championship fight is being jointly promoted by Erik Morales' Box Latino, Sampson Boxing LLC and ALA Promotions.


Nietes works on the mitts with trainer Edmund Villamor (top photo) and shadow boxes (above) at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles on Friday. Photos by Dong Secuya.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 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.