Nietes focuses on business while waiting for next bout
Credit to Author: Josef T. Ramos, TMT| Date: Sat, 29 Feb 2020 17:04:19 +0000
What to do while waiting for a fight? Former world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is focusing on his tracking and coffee shop businesses in Cebu as he waits for a boxing match this year, one that would enrich his account.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
At 37, the country’s longest reigning world champion in three weight divisions, is hoping that he would get a purse-worthy fight offer this year, whether it’s a non-title or world title bout.
His last big fight was on Dec. 31, 2018 against Japanese World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka.
“Depende, pagmalaki ‘yung offer, lalaban tayo. Pero kung maliit ‘wag na lang (It depends. If the offer is good, we’ll fight. But if not, never mind),” the Murcia, Negros Occidental born boxer told The Manila Times in a phone interview on Saturday.
“Basta tamang purse lang,” he added.
To maintain his condition, Nietes (42-1-5 win-loss-draw record with 23 knockouts) plays basketball and biking.
“Wala naman, okay lang ako. Wala pa, wala pang manegotiate at hindi pa nila ako sinasabihan kung kailan ‘yung next fight. Tambay muna at minsan na lang ako nag eensayo. Hindi ko pa alam [kung mangangalawang ako] (It’s nothing; I’m okay. There is nothing yet to negotiate and I am not yet told of my next fight. I just hang out and practice sometimes. I’m not sure if I’m becoming rusty),” he said.
Nietes is hoping to face former world champions Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand, Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua and current WBO super flyweight champion Ioka.
His last title fight was a split decision win over Ioka for the vacant WBO belt last December 2018 in Macau.
He vacated the belt to give way to compatriot Aston Palicte last April 2019, but Palicte lost to Ioka via 10th round technical knockout decision last June 19. The Japanese regained the world title he lost to Nietes.
“Wala naman, pinagbigyan ko naman talaga siya (Palicte). ‘Yun lang hindi niya nabigyan ng break. Nasayangan ako talaga na hindi niya nakuha ‘yung belt (It’s nothing; I just gave him a chance. Unfortunately, he failed to catch a break. I feel regretful that he did not get the belt),” added Nietes.
“Eh gan’un talaga. Hindi mo naman alam na ganoon ang mangyayari (But that’s reality. You wouldn’t really know what would happen),” he added.