Nietes takes 3-week break before training for December title defense

Donnie "Ahas" Nietes will only have at least three weeks of rest before resuming training for a mandatory title defense in December in the Philippines against Pigymy Kokietgym of Thailand. Nietes, who successfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title after a unanimous decision win over Mexican Mario "Dragoncito" Rodriguez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), was originally scheduled to face top contender and still undefeated Carlos Buitrago. But the camp of the 18-year-old Nicaraguan opted not to challenge the Filipino 105-pound champ, saying that Buitrago is still young to face the more experienced Nietes, opening doors for the second-ranked Kokietgym to become the Pinoy pug's next challenger. Now, Nietes' chief trainer, Edmund Villamayor, needs to prepare their game plan against their Thai challenger. "We need to find a CD or a tape of Kokietgym's past fights. We need to study the Thai and learn his favorite punches carefully, just like what we did against Mario Rodriguez," said Villamayor during a victory lunch hosted on Wednesday by GMA Network headed by president, chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon. Nietes and Villamayor were joined by Cebu-based ALA Boxing Promotions president Michael Aldeguer. The 28-year-old Nietes, who earned the nickname 'Ahas' after he patterned his ring movements to his pet snake, has not lost a match since suffering a split decision setback against Indonesia's Angky Angkota on September 28, 2004. He compiled 16 wins and two draws in his last 18 fights. His recent victory against Rodriguez hiked his record to 27 wins, 15 by way of knockout, with one loss and three draws.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Nietes said he was pleased that he managed to survive Rodriguez's spirited challenge amidst the hot Mexican climate. "It was really hot in Sinaloa. It's like an oven. I know I can beat Rodriguez, but I wasn't prepared for the heat," Nietes said in Filipino. Villamayor added that Mexico's afternoon climate forced them to spend most of their time inside their hotel room. "During the match, Donnie always asks for water after every round. Good thing he is in great shape and in excellent condition for the 12-round fight," added Villamayor. Nietes successfully defended his WBO title for the fourth time capped by his unanimous decision win over Rodriguez. All three judges (Levi Martinez, Alejandro Lopez Cid and Thomas Nardone) saw the bout for the Murcia, Negros Occidental native scoring it 119-110, 118-110 and 116-112. This is the third time Nietes came over to Mexico to defend his belt. The first two also went through the scorecards, with the Filipino hacking out a unanimous decision over Erik Ramirez in February 2009 and then settling for a split decision against Manuel Vargas seven months later. Nietes, who won the WBO minimumweight crown in September 2007, is hoping to join the elite rank of longest Filipino world champions. He is in fifth behind former Filipino champions Ben Villaflor, Luisito Espinosa, Jesus Salud and the great Gabriel “Flash" Elorde. Nietes also joined Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton as the only Filipino world champions. – RCJ/Jon Perez, GMANews.TV