DONNIE Nietes has added another hallmark in his storied boxing career after being elevated by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) as a super champion.
Nietes was acknowledged by the WBO as one of the boxing sanctioning body?s Super Champions in the opening day of the 28th WBO Annual Convention in Orlando Florida. He will be receiving his belt in the event?s gala dinner.
?Huge thanks (to the WBO) and I am very happy right now. I did not expect it that they would make me super champ. They are now paying attention to the fighters of the lower weight divisions,? Nietes told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
A super champion in the WBO is rare and only a select few have been elevated to that status. Nietes joins the likes of Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Kovalev, Wladimir Klitschko, Mario Huck and Omar Narvaez as WBO?s super champions.
Nietes is already considered as the best light flyweight in the world after becoming the division?s The Ring lineal champion. Nietes is a world titleholder for the WBO in two weight divisions and has become a WBO champion for eight years.
The 33-year-old Nietes won the WBO mini-flyweight belt in 2007, when he outclassed then unbeaten Porsawan Porpramook by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. He defended his title four times, thrice in Mexico.
Nietes fought for the vacant WBO light flyweight title in 2011 and also scored a unanimous verdict over Ramon Garcia-Hirales at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. He successfully defended his belt eight times, which include wins over notable names like Moises Fuentes and Francisco Rodriguez.
Nietes? latest title victory was a boxing clinic against up-and-comer Juan ?Pinky? Alejo in the main event of ALA Promotion?s first US show last Oct. 17 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Nobody pays too much attention to boxing?s lower weight divisions but because of Nietes, 37-1-4 with 21 knockouts, and pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez, the smaller boxers are slowly gaining some audience.
?Fighters of the lower weight divisions will gain more fame and they will be given opportunities to fight in the US especially the Filipinos in which there are a lot of talented fighters,? said Nietes.
Nietes? and Gonzalez?s paths may cross in the near future, possibly late next year. But as of now, Nietes is just blissful with what he has achieved in years of hard work honing his craft in one of the most brutal sports in the world.
?I wish the fans to continue and support me in my upcoming fights. I will do my best to continue to win and give the up-and-coming boxers inspiration and to also give the boxing fans great fights.?
