DONNIE Nietes has achieved a long list of accolades in his 15-year career as a prizefighter; he?s a three-division world champion, the longest reigning Filipino world titleholder and, lately, the 10th ranked pound-for-pound fighter.
With his latest achievement of becoming a top 10 fighter in the world regardless of weight divisions, the 36-year-old super flyweight has a burst of energy to achieve even more.
?When I saw my name on that list (pound-for-pound), I was more inspired to fight. I feel very young, I feel that I have a lot more to achieve. I feel that I can win more titles. When I train, I don?t get tire. It gives me an extra push,? Nietes said in a press conference Friday in the St. Mark Hotel before he leaves for the US today with his coach, Edmund Villamor.
Nietes will wrap up his training in Los Angeles for his Sept. 8 vacant World Boxing Organization super flyweight world title fight with fellow Filipino Aston Palicte at the Forum.
The Nietes vs. Palicte world championship bout is one of the main featured bouts of Superfly 3 along with two other super flyweight bouts – Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Felipe Orucuta and Kazuto Ioka vs. McWilliams Arroyo.
?I?m very happy that I?m already renowned in the US. It has always been my dream in boxing to be renowned all around the world, that I belong here with the elite names,? said Nietes.
Nietes was supposed to fight Palicte this month but the fight was pushed back a month later, which came as a blessing in disguise that gave him extra time to bulk up.
?I have been building up my body and muscles. I have really improved my strength. I had a very long time to prepare for this,? he said.
Nietes sparred with bigger fighters in a two-month training camp in the US in May and June. He came back to Cebu and sparred with bigger boxers Jeo Santisima and Virgel Vitor, both super bantamweights.
Though Palicte is younger, taller and a natural super flyweight, there?s no fighter or style that Nietes hasn?t already seen.
?Nietes has the edge in experience. He has piled up a lot of experience with his fights. He has already fought a tall opponent, Moises Fuentes,? said Edmund.
Nietes wants the big fights, and if he wins this, his ultimate goal is fellow pound-for-pound fighter and current World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight king Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. EKA
