The silent and unassuming boxing champion from Negros Occidental, Donnie Nietes, is scheduled to arrive today for a short visit to his hometown in Murcia and pay a courtesy call on local officials of his province.
Nietes, who once again, opted to travel by sea and land from Cebu, where he is based, being a prodigy of the ALA Boxing Promotions of Antonio ?Bidoy? Aldeguer, will arrive in Murcia around 11 a.m.
From Murcia, where he will pay a courtesy call on the town?s new officials headed by Mayor Andrew Montelibano, the WBO minimumweight champion will proceed to the Capitol to call on Gov. Alfredo Mara?on Jr.
The local boxing hero, who has been quietly making a name in Mexico after three-straight successful title defense wherein he toppled all his Mexican challengers, has been a source of inspiration to homegrown pugilists.
If only we have enough funds, it is our dream to bring to Negros Occidental one of the title-defense fights of Nietes in the future, Negros Amateur Boxing Association president Monju Guanzon said.
He added that NABA has been very proud of Nietes?s accomplishment but most deserving of the credits is Aldeguer and ALA Promotions for giving the Negrense warrior the full support and opportunities to develop his talent.
Known for his moniker ?Ahas?, Nietes is known for having a python as pet. In previous interviews, he said he used to have his pet around in his every fight, had it wrapped around his neck when he won as his way of ?personal celebration?.
But the snake has grown and the boxer said it is too heavy now for him to lag it around wherever he went to.
Nietes?s WBO title may not be as splashy nor as glamorous as Filipinos? boxing icon and now Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao?s career in boxing, but the local boy from Negros has gained respect among his colleagues.
And for his townmates in Murcia, they will always be proud of his accomplishment and welcome him today as their local boxing hero.*NAB
