Everybody happy, hopefully
Credit to Author: ED C. TOLENTINO| Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:15:30 +0000
The rematch nobody really wants to see is not happening after all.
Donnie Nietes has decided to give up the WBO junior bantamweight (115 lbs.) title to pursue the fights that truly matter. The head honchos of the WBO had earlier directed Nietes to face countryman Aston Palicte, the No.1 contender, despite the fact that Nietes thoroughly defeated the latter and was only robbed of a decision in their first meeting last September. There were options available on the table that would have allowed Nietes to seek an extension of the period to make the mandatory defense, but eventually he decided to just relinquish the throne.
The first winner, of course, is Philippine pro boxing. Last we checked, there are four generally recognized governing bodies in boxing (WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF) and one cannot help but wonder why Palicte and Nietes are trying to fight for only the WBO title when they can go after another version of the crown. Two grown men trying to simultaneously squeeze themselves into a door does not make sense when there are three other doors open. One can count on the fingers of one hand the number of quality fighters the country has and the last thing you want to see is two of them eliminating each other. If the WBO crown is the only one available in the market, Nietes and Palicte facing each other again is totally justified, but such is not the case.
The second winner is Palicte. With Nietes vacating the throne, Palicte (25-2, 1 draw, 21 knockouts) has placed himself in a viable position to succeed Nietes as champion.
Palicte was hankering for another shot at Nietes because he wanted to immediately silence critics who thought he was lucky to get a draw. But let us be honest here: Palicte’s one-dimensional style is tailor-made for Nietes’ counterpunching approach and the rematch would have been simply a repeat of the first match where Nietes’ ring generalship made Palicte look silly. However, this does not mean that Palicte cannot be a world champion. The key is clever matchmaking. Matched against an opponent who offers limited movement and tends to mix it up, the heavy-handed Palicte can produce electrifying results. Palicte’s smashing second-round knockout win over the previously unbeaten Jose Martinez of Puerto Rico in January stands as Exhibit A.
With Nietes out of the picture, Palicte no longer has to deal with a guy whose style is too burdensome for him.
The third winner, albeit via a thin line, is Nietes. By freeing himself from the clutches of the WBO, Nietes (42-1, 5 draws, 23 knockouts) now has the freedom to pursue the fights he truly covets.
Nietes is turning 37 on May 13 and is clearly fighting on borrowed time. Keeping the WBO title and being forced to take part in insignificant defenses were just going to drag him down.
Nietes is eyeing to face the winner of the April 26 showdown between WBC junior bantamweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-4, 41 knockouts) and challenger Juan Francisco Estrada (38-3, 26 knockouts). Nietes facing and beating the winner of the said fight will not only give him a more prestigious belt, but will virtually solidify his legacy. From a financial standpoint, Nietes also figures to bankroll more money from a fight of such stature.
Yet another route for Nietes is a showdown with WBA junior bantamweight champ Khalid Yafai (25-0, 15 knockouts). The wait for this fight may be longer, though, as Yafai has been recently ordered by the WBA to defend against No.1 challenger Norbelto Jimenez.
In the coming months, we will get a clearer view of the entire picture. If all goes according to plan, Palicte picks up the WBO belt while Nietes ends up with the WBC or WBA crown. When the rosin settles, the country could end up with two world champions.
Everybody happy, hopefully.
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