Donnie Nietes

Donnie Liboon Nietes (born May 12, 1982) is a Filipino professional boxer.[1] He is a world champion in four weight-classes,[2] having previously held the WBO mini-flyweight title from 2007 to 2011; the WBO and The Ring magazine junior-flyweight titles between 2011 and 2016; IBF flyweight title from 2017 to 2018; and the WBO junior-bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019.[3] He is the longest-reigning Filipino boxing world champion, surpassing in 2014 the record set in 1967 by Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Gabriel "Flash" Elorde.[4][5] He was one of the first three Asian fighters with world titles in at least four weight classes alongside fellow Filipinos Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire.

Donnie Nietes
Nietes in 2019
Statistics
Real name	Donnie Liboon Nietes
Nickname(s)	"Ahas" (Snake)
Weight(s)	Mini-flyweight Junior-flyweight Flyweight Junior-bantamweight
Height	5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Reach	65 ^1⁄2 in (166 cm)
Nationality	Filipino
Born	May 12, 1982 Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	42
Wins by KO	23
Losses	1
Draws	5

As of October 2019, Nietes is ranked as the world's third best active junior-bantamweight by The Ring[6] and Transnational Boxing Rankings Board,[7] and fourth by BoxRec.[8]

Nickname

Regarding how Nietes got his nickname "Ahas" which is Tagalog for "snake," Tony Aldeguer states:

"Donnie got his nickname 'ahas' when he was a utility boy at the ALA Gym. One of his daily chores was to clean the snake pit with five big pythons and he was the only man with the guts to do it. He was bitten several times. But once he befriended the snakes, he was never bitten again. One day, a snake laid 11 eggs but only one survived. Donnie took care of that snake and he still does to this day. That's how he got his nickname."

— Tony Aldeguer, quoted from an interview[9]

Professional career

Early years

Nietes worked as a utility man at the now-disbanded Antonio Lopez Aldeguer (ALA) boxing gym before taking up boxing after being encouraged by the practitioners with whom he socialized.

In 2003, at the age of 20, Nietes started his career as a professional boxer. On, May 22, 2004, he won the Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) light flyweight title against Joseph Villasis via first-round technical knockout. Nietes was undefeated before losing in his bout against Angky Angkota via 10-round split decision on September 28, 2004. Angkota weighed in six pounds over the weight limit for this fight.

On November 24, 2011, Nietes won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight Title against Heri Amol of Indonesia via second-round knockout. He defended the title twice against Thai boxers Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo and Sakulpan Pakdee Gym prior to world title fights in minimumweight division.

Minimumweight

On September 30, 2007, Nietes fought then undefeated Pornsawarn Kratingdaenggym of Thailand for the vacant WBO Minimumweight World Title in Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines. Although Nietes floored Kratingdaenggym in the fourth round, the Thai boxer managed to get up at the final bell. The bout ended in a unanimous decision in favor of Nietes.[10]

Three times, Nietes has been pitted with fighters against whom he was supposed to defend his title, however, all plans have fallen through for undisclosed reasons. Because of this, he was at risk of being stripped off his belt, as WBO rules state that a champion has to defend his title within a year.[11] After 11 months of inactivity, he finally defended his crown, against Eddy Castro (12-3-1) on August 30, 2008. Nietes (23-1-3, with 14 knockouts) won the fight by technical knockout at 2:49 mark of the second round.[12][13]

Nietes defended his title for the second time by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Erik Ramirez on February 28, 2009. En route to the win, Nietes sent Ramirez to the canvass four times in separate rounds.

In his third defense, Nietes battled interim champion Manuel Vargas on September 12, 2009. Nietes won the bout by split decision.

On January 23, 2010, Nietes was supposed to defend his WBO title for the fourth time. After a couple of opponents backed out, Mexico's Jesus Silvestre became the last resort. But because Silvestre wasn't ranked in the WBO, Nietes' title wasn't wagered and the bout was only 10 rounds. In the fight, both boxers did well and appeared strong. In the 10th and final round, Nietes was declared winner by TKO when Silvestre stopped to take a drink of water during the fight, a move that was against the rules.

In his fourth title defense, Nietes fought Mexico's Mario Rodriguez. The fight took place on August 14, 2010, at the Auditorio Luis Estrada Medina in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. The Filipino pugilist won the bout by unanimous decision with scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112.[14]

Nietes was scheduled to defend his title on March 12, 2011, against mandatory challenger and former champion Raul Garcia (29-1-0). However, less than two weeks before the fight, Nietes announced that he would be vacating his world title and moving up in weight.[15] 0n April 9, 2011, Nietes faced Armando Vazquez (18-5-0) and defeated him via first round knock out.[16]

Light flyweight

Nietes in 2015

On October 8, 2011, Nietes defeated Mexico's Ramón García Hirales via 12-round unanimous decision to win the WBO Light Flyweight title. Nietes defended the title on June 2, 2012 against Felipe Salguero via unanimous decision.

Nietes retained his WBO Light Flyweight title against WBO Minimumweight champion Moises Fuentes on March 2, 2013 via a majority draw.[17]

On November 15, 2014, the Bacolod native successfully defended his WBO and The Ring Light Flyweight titles by stopping Carlos Velarde of Mexico in the 7th round.[18] Nietes became the longest-reigning Filipino world champion on that same day, surpassing the record previously held by Gabriel Elorde.[19]

Flyweight

After breaking Elorde's record, Nietes successfully defended his title four more times before deciding to move up to the flyweight division. His first flyweight fight was against former WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa on September 24, 2016.[20] On April 29, 2017, Nietes became the third Filipino boxer to win world titles in three different weight divisions, along with Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire when he defeated Thailand's Komgrich Nantapech.[21] He successfully defended his title against the mandatory challenger Argentinaian and former two division world champion Juan Carlos Reveco winning via Technical Knockout after Reveco's corner throws in the towel, on the 7th round of the fight.[22][23] On June 14, 2018, Nietes entered The Ring magazine's pound for pound list for the first time in his career at the number nine spot.[24]

Junior bantamweight

Nietes made his debut in the junior-bantamweight division against Filipino compatriot Aston Palicte for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight Championship. The fight ended in a questionable Split decision draw, 118-110 for Nietes, 116-112 for Palicte and a 114-114 draw at The Forum in Inglewood, California.[25] Punch count statistics saw Nietes, 36, land 194 punches, 70 more than Palicte, his 40 percent of punches landed was nearly twice the accuracy rate of his rival.[26][27] While not beaten, Nietes was denied a victory that would have put him alongside Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire as the only Asian fighters with world titles in at least four weight classes.[28] He eventually won the same vacant title after defeating Kazuto Ioka via split decision and became the third Asian to win world titles in at least four weight classes.[29]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary

48 fights	42 wins	1 loss
By knockout	23	0
By decision	19	1
Draws	5

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
48	Win	42–1–5	Kazuto Ioka	SD	12	31 Dec 2018	Wynn Palace, Macau, SAR	Won vacant WBO junior-bantamweight title
47	Draw	41–1–5	Aston Palicte	SD	12	8 Sep 2018	The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	For vacant WBO junior-bantamweight title
46	Win	41–1–4	Juan Carlos Reveco	TKO	7 (12), 0:53	24 Feb 2018	The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	Retained IBF flyweight title
45	Win	40–1–4	Komgrich Nantapech	UD	12	29 Apr 2017	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Won vacant IBF flyweight title
44	Win	39–1–4	Edgar Sosa	UD	12	24 Sep 2016	StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.	Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental flyweight title
43	Win	38–1–4	Raul Garcia	RTD	5 (12), 3:00	28 May 2016	La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City, Philippines	Retained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
42	Win	37–1–4	Juan Alejo	UD	12	17 Oct 2015	StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.	Retained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
41	Win	36–1–4	Francisco Rodríguez Jr.	UD	12	11 Jul 2015	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Retained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
40	Win	35–1–4	Gilberto Parra	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	28 Mar 2015	Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines	Retained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
39	Win	34–1–4	Carlos Velarde	RTD	7 (12), 3:00	15 Nov 2014	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Retained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
38	Win	33–1–4	Moisés Fuentes	TKO	9 (12), 2:56	10 May 2014	Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines	Retained WBO junior-flyweight title; Won vacant The Ring junior-flyweight title
37	Win	32–1–4	Sammy Gutiérrez	KO	3 (12), 2:58	30 Nov 2013	Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines	Retained WBO junior-flyweight title
36	Draw	31–1–4	Moisés Fuentes	MD	12	2 Mar 2013	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Retained WBO junior-flyweight title
35	Win	31–1–3	Danai Meendaeng	KO	5 (12), 2:46	17 Nov 2012	Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, Dumaguete City, Philippines
34	Win	30–1–3	Felipe Salguero	UD	12	2 Jun 2012	Resorts World Manila, Pasay, Philippines	Retained WBO junior-flyweight title
33	Win	29–1–3	Ramón García Hirales	UD	12	8 Oct 2011	La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod, Philippines	Won WBO junior-flyweight title
32	Win	28–1–3	Armando Vazquez	KO	1 (10), 2:26	9 Apr 2011	La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod, Philippines
31	Win	27–1–3	Mario Rodriguez	UD	12	14 Aug 2010	Auditorio Luis Estrada Medina, Guasave, Mexico	Retained WBO mini-flyweight title
30	Win	26–1–3	Jesús Silvestre	TKO	10 (10), 1:37	23 Jan 2010	Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay, Philippines
29	Win	25–1–3	Manuel Vargas	SD	12	12 Sep 2009	El Palenque de la Feria, Tepic, Mexico	Retained WBO mini-flyweight title
28	Win	24–1–3	Erik Ramirez	UD	12	28 Feb 2009	Auditorio Guelaguetza, Oaxaca, Mexico	Retained WBO mini-flyweight title
27	Win	23–1–3	Eddy Castro	KO	2 (12), 2:49	30 Aug 2008	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Retained WBO mini-flyweight title
26	Win	22–1–3	Pornsawan Porpramook	UD	12	30 Sep 2007	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Won vacant WBO mini-flyweight title
25	Win	21–1–3	Saengpetch Sor Sakulphan	TKO	7 (12), 0:36	7 Jul 2007	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines	Retained WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
24	Win	20–1–3	Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo	KO	2 (12)	21 Apr 2007	New City Coliseum, Victorias, Philippines	Retained WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
23	Win	19–1–3	Heri Amol	KO	2 (12), 0:46	24 Nov 2006	Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines	Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
22	Win	18–1–3	Robert Rubillar	UD	10	12 Aug 2006	Sports Complex, Minglanilla, Philippines
21	Win	17–1–3	Noel Veronque	UD	6	15 Jan 2006	Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, Philippines
20	Win	16–1–3	Allan Dugang	UD	8	30 Dec 2005	CPG Multi-Purpose Center, Talibon, Philippines
19	Win	15–1–3	Randy Narbay	KO	2 (8)	25 Sep 2005	Island City Mall, Tagbilaran, Philippines
18	Win	14–1–3	Allan Dugang	UD	10	28 Aug 2005	Town Plaza, Panglao, Philippines
17	Draw	13–1–3	Nino Suelo	TD	1 (8), 1:26	30 Jul 2005	San Andres Civic & Sports Center, Manila, Philippines
16	Win	13–1–2	Elmer Muyco	UD	10	30 Apr 2005	Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
15	Win	12–1–2	Ricardo Albia	TKO	7 (8), 1:06	29 Jan 2005	Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
14	Draw	11–1–2	Carlo Besares	MD	10	20 Nov 2004	University of Mindanao Gymnasium, Tagum, Philippines
13	Loss	11–1–1	Angky Angkota	SD	10	28 Sep 2004	RCTI Studios, Jakarta, Indonesia
12	Win	11–0–1	Abrin Matta	TKO	5 (10)	7 Sep 2004	BIN Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia
11	Win	10–0–1	Marti Polii	TKO	7 (10), 2:15	3 Aug 2004	RCTI Studios, Jakarta, Indonesia
10	Win	9–0–1	Robert Costelo	TKO	1 (10), 1:58	29 Jun 2004	Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, Philippines	Retained PBF junior-flyweight title
9	Win	8–0–1	Joseph Villasis	TKO	1 (10), 1:16	22 May 2004	Ynares Sr. Memorial Gym, Binangonan, Philippines	Won vacant PBF junior-flyweight title
8	Win	7–0–1	Robert Rubillar	TKO	7 (10), 1:22	28 Mar 2004	Ynares Sr. Memorial Gym, Binangonan, Philippines
7	Win	6–0–1	Julius Alcos	SD	10	28 Feb 2004	Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
6	Win	5–0–1	Rolando Baclayo	KO	4 (10)	27 Dec 2003	Sports Complex, Danao City, Philippines
5	Win	4–0–1	Roldan Malinao	KO	4 (8)	4 Oct 2003	Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
4	Draw	3–0–1	Greg Mangan	MD	8	16 Aug 2003	New Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines
3	Win	3–0	Rommel Tura	TKO	1 (8)	12 Jun 2003	Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, Philippines
2	Win	2–0	Mario Jun de Asis	UD	6	31 May 2003	Town Plaza, Catmon, Philippines
1	Win	1–0	Walter Suaybaguio	UD	6	25 Apr 2003	Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando, Philippines

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

• WBO Minimumweight Champion (105 lbs)
• WBO Light Flyweight Champion (108 lbs)
• IBF Flyweight Champion (112 lbs)
• WBO Super Flyweight Champion (115 lbs)

The Ring Titles:

• The Ring Light Flyweight Champion (108 lbs)

Regional/International Titles:

• PBF Light Flyweight Champion (108 lbs)
• WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight Champion (105 lbs)
• WBO Inter-Continental Flyweight Champion (112 lbs)

Special Titles:

• WBO Light Flyweight Super Champion (108 lbs)

Awards and Recognition

• 2015 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Sportsman of the Year
• 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Boxer of the Year

Legacy

A statue of Nietes was built in Murcia, Negros Occidental.[30]

See also

• List of Filipino boxing world champions
• List of IBF world champions
• List of WBO world champions
• List of The Ring world champions
• List of mini-flyweight boxing champions
• List of light-flyweight boxing champions
• List of flyweight boxing champions
• List of super-flyweight boxing champions
• List of boxing quadruple champions

References

1. "Nietes win flyweight champion". Rappler.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
2. "Donnie Nietes Becomes 3rd Filipino To Be 3 Division World Champion".
3. "Nietes KOs Fuentes in nine to cement junior flyweight supremacy". Rappler.com.
4. Sacamos, Karlo (19 November 2014). "Donnie Nietes thrilled to break Flash Elorde record and become longest-reigning Filipino world champ". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
5. Honasan, Santino (13 May 2016). "What keeps Donnie Nietes motivated?". ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
6. https://www.ringtv.com/ratings/?weightclass=286
7. http://www.tbrb.org/all-rankings/
8. http://boxrec.com/en/ratings?offset=0&sex=M&division=Super%20Flyweight
9. Henson, Joaquin (4 January 2009). "'Ahas' out to gain recognition". The Philippine Star. p. 20.
10. "NIETES WINS! Adds a 4th World Title for the Philippines". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2007-10-01.
11. "Nietes: Just in time to prove dominion". Philboxing.com. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
12. "philboxing.com, 'Boombulagta', Niestes stop foes!". Philboxing.com. 2008-08-30. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
13. abs-cbnnews.com, Boom Boom Bautista KOs Mexican challenger in 2nd round
14. Nathanielsz, Ronnie (15 August 2010). "Donnie Nietes Decisions Mario Rodriguez, Retains Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
15. "Nietes chases another dream". Sun.Star. 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
16. News, ABS-CBN. "Nietes smashes Mexican foe in 1 round".
17. Luarca, Roy (3 March 2013). "Nietes settles for draw vs Mexican, keeps title". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
18. Songalia, Ryan (November 16, 2014). "Donnie Nietes forces Velarde to quit, retains junior flyweight championship". Rappler. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
19. Ramos, Gerry (October 11, 2014). "Donnie Nietes bids to break Flash Elorde's record as he fights for one last time at junior flyweight". Spin.Ph. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
20. "Donnie Nietes Moves Up To Flyweight, Faces Edgar Sosa on 9/24 - Boxing News".
21. "Donnie Nietes Becomes 3rd Filipino To Be 3 Division World Champion".
22. https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/2/24/17049506/nietes-vs-reveco-results-donnie-nietes-stops-juan-carlos-reveco-to-retain-title
23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJMlIioiMsM
24. "Nietes makes ring's pound-for-pound list | The Freeman". philstar.com.
25. http://boxrec.com/en/event/772766
26. https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/9/8/17836532/superfly-3-results-nietes-robbed-against-palicte-fight-a-draw
27. https://sports.mb.com.ph/2018/09/09/nietes-denied-fourth-division-title/
28. https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/boxing-mma/211542-donnie-nietes-aston-palicte-fight-draw-wbo-super-flyweight-title
29. https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/31/18/donnie-nietes-champion-again-joins-pacquiao-donaire-in-elite-company
30. http://philboxing.com/news/story-141473.html

External links

• Boxing record for Donnie Nietes from BoxRec