DONNIE Nietes let out a laugh but then seriously admitted that his coach Edito Villamor would beat him if ever both of them had met in the ring in their prime.
?I think he would win,? said Nietes, while pointing at Edito. ?Coach was very hard to fight. He?s a lefty.? Though Edito, a two-time world title challenger in his heyday in the late 80s and early 90s, is nowhere near Nietes? credentials, the three-division world champion from Murcia is humble enough to admit that he has his flaws and that he would have a hard time fighting a talented southpaw like his coach.
That?s just who Donnie Nietes is , a soft-spoken, honest, and humble person out of the ring and a vicious and cerebral fighter inside the ring.
?He?s the same Donnie Nietes. He hasn?t changed since Day 1,? said Villamor.
Nietes had humble beginnings, starting out as janitor at the ALA Gym.
?I was recommended by my uncle to the ALA Gym but I was small and was a bit old. That?s why I started as a janitor but at the same time fought in amateur fights in small events,? he said.
After working as a janitor and training and fighting in small amateur shows for over two years, Nietes felt that it was time to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time boxer.
?At first, sir ALA (Antonio Lopez Aldeguer) said no. He had doubts because I was small. I had a vacation and then I returned to work. We used to install the ring when there were amateur and professional fights. Those were the fights of (Z) Gorres, Dindo (Castanares); they were the main event at Waterfront. We used to assemble the ring. We had to carry heavy metals and plywood from a long distance. I told myself, this is a good training, this will improve my strength. Eventually, I was very eager to follow Dindo, Bart Abapo; they were the main event fighters of ALA. So I told sir ALA whether he likes it or not, I will stop working and focus on boxing. He said yes, and that was the time I just focused on boxing,? he said.
Nietes made his pro debut in 2003 and beat Walter Suaybaguio by unanimous decision in a small show in Barangay Pitalo in San Fernando.
He rose up the ranks and finally earned the moniker ?Ahas?.
?I used to take care of sir ALA?s pet snake. I brought the snake into the ring. It was unique,? said Nietes.
In 2007, he finally had his huge break and fought for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title against unbeaten Thai Porsawan Porpramook at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. He then captured his second division world title in 2011 with a unanimous decision over Ramon Garcia-Hirales in Bacolod City. After a successful title defense in 2014 against Carlos Velarde, Nietes surpassed the late great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde?s longstanding record of being the longest Filipino world champion.
Nietes added another milestone last year after winning the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Komgrich Nantapech, and recently introduced himself to the mainstream US audience with a seventh round knockout of two-division world champion Juan Carlos Reveco just last weekend.
At 35 years old, Nietes should be past his prime but he hasn?t slowed down one bit. The secret to his success and longevity is discipline.
?Discipline for your body,? he said. ?Eat the right food like fruits and vegetables. Don?t eat junk foods. Always listen to your coach, respect him, and follow the training program.?
?One thing that we limit is the cell phone. It is very addictive. All your focus will be on it. But Donnie, he listens,? said Villamor.
At one time nobody believed in Nietes. Who would have thought a janitor who used to take care of snakes would become one of the best fighters to ever come out of the Philippines?
?We are very happy because Donnie is now being compared to the other greats,? said Edmund Villamor, who has been one of Nietes? coaches since day one. (EKA)
