via
WBO minimumweight world champ Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will defend his title for the third time in Mexico this August 14 against Mario “Dragoncito” Rodriguez of Guasave,Sinaloa. Nietes has sparred for 300 rounds at the ALA Gym in Cebu in preparation for this daunting task of winning his fourth title defense in front of a hostile crowd.
It was on September 30, 2007 when he won the vacant WBO 105 lb. title with a 12 round unanimous decision win over Thailand's Pornsawan (Kratingdaengym) Porpramook in a fight held at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.
In 2008, he knocked out Eddy Castro in the second round in his first title defense also in Cebu. Last year, Nietes accomplished a rare feat in making back to back successful title defenses in Mexico against Mexican challengers Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas.
Last January 2010, he beat another Mexican, Jesus Silvestre by 10th round TKO in a non-title fight held in Pasay City. Nietes was one of the five boxers honoured during the 28th Cebu Sports Awards held last March. But it is only the die-hard boxing fans who have learned to appreciate his value as a well rounded boxer and a reliable road warrior.
This boxer is underrated.
