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By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Tuesday, December 27, 2016
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MANILA – Filipino boxer Donnie Nietes is set to gun for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight belt when he faces Thai Eaktawan Krungthepthonburi early next year.
The world flyweight became vacant after it was relinquished over the weekend by Filipino boxer John Riel Casimero, who decided to move up to the much-heavier super flyweight division.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Panay News he received a letter from the IBF ordering the Nietes-Krungthepthonburi match for the world championship.
“I received a letter from the IBF notifying me to start the negotiations for the fight,” Aldeguer said. “As much as possible, we want that world title fight to be held in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu.”
“But we are also open to fight in Thailand or China,” Aldeguer added. “Yes, it could be dangerous but Donnie has fought thrice in Mexico, which is much tougher, and when he was younger, in Indonesia.”
Nietes, in a separate interview, said he is excited after being tasked by the IBF to fight for its flyweight belt and promised to immediately begin his preparations after the holidays.
“Masaya tayo nung matanggap natin ang balita mula sa IBF at ipra-prioritize ko ang laban ko dun,” Nietes said. “Matapos nun sana magkaroon din ako ng chance na labanan si Zou (Shiming).”
The Murcia, Negros Occidental-native Nietes, who has a 39-1-4 win-loss-draw slate, will be aiming for his third world title in as many divisions after previously holding the World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight and light flyweight belts./PN
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