Nietes excited to defend title on home ground

He may not be as popular as the other Filipino world champions but Donnie "Ahas" Nietes is not bothered one bit. Nietes is in league with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire Jr. but publicity-wise, he gets the least exposure. However, the champ from Bacolod City is not rushing things up, believing his time will come soon. And that may come when he defends his World Boxing Organization minimumweight crown in front of his countrymen on Jan. 23. “Kontento naman ako sa narating ko ngayon. Darating din naman ang araw na sisikat din ako. Pero sa ngayon ay happy ako sa itinatakbo ng aking boxing caeer," said Nietes who along with his trainer Franklin Albia attended Friday's SCOOP sa Kamayan session in Manila.

Nietes will showcase his ring prowess in his fourth defense of the title against Mexican challenger Jesus Silvestre at the Cuneta Astrodome in a fight card dubbed Boxing by the Bay 2. Sharing the limelight with Nietes is the Hawaiian Punch Viloria, who will stake his IBF light-flyweight strap against Columbian rival Carlos Tamara. Silvestre will be the third straight Mexican challenger for Nietes, who previously disposed of Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas, both on hostile territory, Mexico. “Matagal na akong huling lumaban dito (Philippines) kaya talagang excited ako. Pinaghandaan ko rin ang labang ito at nasa kondisyon na," said Nietes, who won the belt back in 2007 with a unanimous decision over Thailand’s Pornsawwan Porpramook at Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City. Silvestre packs a mean 15-1 record with 12 KO's but Nietes remains unfazed, confident he will win by stoppage inside seven rounds. “Alam ko kung paano siya lumaban at ang kanyang lakas dahil undercard siya nang nakalaban ko si Vargas noong September 12. Kaya masasabi kong kaya ko siyang patumbahin sa fifth hanggang seventh round," said Nietes, who has 25 wins in 29 fights with 14 knockouts. He has sparred close to 150 rounds for the fight, which was supposed to be held last December 5 but was reset by the promoters. His trainer attested to Nietes’ supreme conditioning. “Kondisyon na kondisyon na siya sa labang ito. Alam na rin namin ang gagawing diskarte dahil nga sa napanood na namin siyang (Silvestre) lumaban. Slugger at fighter si Silvestre at ang lakas ay ang kaliwang upper cut pero kaya siya ni Donnie," Albia said. Nietes, at present, is still four pounds over the weight limit but meeting 105 lbs would not be a problem, he guaranteed. After this bout, Nietes hopes to defend the crown four to five more times then move up in weight. “Dream ko ay makuha ang lahat ng titulo sa division na ito bago ako umakyat. Sa tingin ko ay kaya kong gawin ito dahil wala naman talaga akong problema kung timbang lang ang pag-uusapan," Nietes said. Nietes and Silvestre will meet face to face on January 20 in a press conference. – GMANews.Tv