Ni: Gilbert Espeña
SA halos isang dekadang pamamayagpag sa mundo ng boxing, maigting pa rin ang pagnanais ni IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes na makalikha ng kasaysayan sa pamamagitan ng unification ng titulo sa WBC, WBA at WBO bago umangat ng timbang sa super flyweight division.
Matapos matamo ang WBO minimumweight, sinabi ni WBO light flyweight at IBF flyweight champion at pinakamatagal na naging kampeong pandigdig ng Pilipinas, gustong sundan ni Nietes ang yapak nina eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao at five-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr.
“I think I already made my legacy. But I still want to achieve more,” sabi ni Nietes sa Philboxing.com.“I want to unify titles.”
Pagkatapos ng kanyang depensa kay two-division world champion Juan Carlos Reveco ng Argentina sa Nobyembre 25, hahamunin ni Nietes ang alinman kina WBC champion Daigo Higa, WBO titleholder Sho Kimura at WBA beltholder Kazuto Ioka na pawang mga Hapones bago umakyat sa super flyweight division.
Aniya ang tagumpay niya sa boksing at resulta ng dedikasyon, matinding pagsasanay at sariling disiplina kaya umabot ng 10 taon sa kanyang pamamayagpag.
“That’s the technique of reaching 10 years as a world champion. Be always patient and never be overconfident, and always have self-discipline,” aniya.
Nangako rin si Nietes na lalong magsasanay dahil mabigat kalaban si Reveco na matagal ring naging WBA light flyweight at flyweight beltholder.
“This fight will be good. I have prepared well. I think he’s a very tough opponent and I won’t take any chances,” pahayag ni Nietes.