Donnie Nietes of the Philippines (L) and Kazuto Ioka of Japan (R)
by Dennis Principe
Skipping the holidays is not new to three-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes.
And while he would would be missing the current holiday season, the 36-year-old Nietes believes he has the right reason to do so this year.
The Murcia-native triple world champion will be facing Japanese star Kazuto Ioka in a battle for the vacant WBO lightflyweight champion on New Year’s Eve at the Wynn Palace in Macau.
“Itong world title naman kasi bihira lang ito. Pag tapos na ako sa boxing, marami pang pasko at bagong taon ako ma-enjoy,” said Nietes who left Cebu for Macau on Christmas Day.
Nietes knows he has his work cut out for him in facing Ioka who is also a triple division champion as the Japanese challenger also reigned as minimumweight, lightflyweight and flyweight titleholder.
Nietes holds an impressive 41-1-5 win-loss-draw card, 23 of his victories came by way of knockout.
The 28-year-old Ioka meanwhile has also tallied an equally-impressive slate as he has scored a 23-1 record, 13 via stoppage.
“Siguro mas mabilis siya sa akin kasi mas bata siya. Dun masasabi natin na lamang siya pero daanin ko na lang sa experience,” said Nietes.
This will be Nietes’ second attempt at the same crown after his first try ended in a 12-round draw opposite compatriot Aston Palicte held last September in Inglewood, California.
Nietes disclosed his fight against Palicte could be his wake up call when it comes to enhacing his chances of finally meeting marquee fighters of their division, particularly the likes of WBC champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai if Thailand and multi-division champions Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua.
“Medyo nailang ako nung huling laban kasi masyadong malaki talaga si Palicte pero ngayon kailangan ko talaga magpakita ng aggressiveness sa laban ko kay Ioka,” revealed Nietes.
Both combatants easily made the weight during their official weigh-in Sunday morning, with Nietes tallying a fit 115 lbs while Ioka registered 114.5 lbs.
The Nietes-Ioka match is one of three world title bouts scheduled on the same Macau venue Monday night where WBA lightflyweight champion Hekkie Budler of South Africa will defend his crown against unbeaten Japanese prospect Hiroto Kyoguchi while Budler’s compatriot, longtime IBF flyweight kingpin Moruti Mthalane will stake his belt opposite another Japanese bet Masahiro Sakamoto.
Tags: Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes , Hekkie Budler , Juan Francisco Estrada , Kazuto Ioka , Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez , Srisaket Sor Rungvisai , WBO lightflyweight champion
