CHAMPION BOXER Donnie “Ahas” Nietes returns to the ring this weekend looking to claim a third division title and join a prestigious group of Filipino fighters to have done so.
Mr. Nietes, 34, is to headline “Pinoy Pride 40: Domination” at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City tomorrow, taking on Thai Komgrich Nantapech for the vacant International Boxing Federation Flyweight Championship.
The Murcia, Negros Occidental native, who is undefeated for more than a decade, is angling to add the IBF flyweight title to his championship mantle that includes his World Boxing Organization minimumweight and light flyweight titles, and join eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and four-weight champ Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire as the only Filipino boxers to have won titles in at least three weight classes.
Pinoy Pride 40 marks the second time that Mr. Nietes (39-1-4, 22 knockouts) will fight as a flyweight after a successful climb up to the division last year, beating Edgar Sosa of Mexico by unanimous decision in September last year to capture the WBO International Flyweight title.
Following his successful encounter against Mr. Sosa, the Filipino champion said that he is “ready” for a world title fight in the division.
“After a successful performance in my last fight, I feel good of my decision to move up to flyweight and now is the time to take it further,” Mr. Nietes said in the vernacular as he talked about his upcoming fight.
Out to thwart Mr. Nietes is Mr. Nantapech (22-3), who is riding a 15-fight winning streak.
His last victory came at the expense of Filipino Jeny Boy Boca last September.
In Mr. Nietes, however, Thai Nantapech, 27, is facing his toughest challenge in the biggest fight of his career so far.
Also on tap for Pinoy Pride 40 is featherweight Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (15-0; 11 KOs), who is eyeing to climb up the rankings and get a shot at the title by beating Tanzanian Issa Nampepeche (24-7-4; 11KOs) in their scheduled 10-rounder.
Fighting as well is up-and-coming Jeo Santisima (12-2; 11 KOs), who will battle Indonesian Master Suro (11-8-1).
Pinoy Pride 40: Domination is available on pay-per-view. It will be aired on free TV the following day over ABS-CBN at 3:30 p.m. with a prime time telecast on S+A at 8 p.m.