Donnie Nietes guns for vacant WBO flyweight crown against Colombian foe

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is looking to prove his doubters wrong after clinching the title shot for the vacant WBO International flyweight belt against the younger Pablo Carrillo of Colombia.

Nietes will try to quell questions about his deteriorating speed and power with him entering the fight at the age of 38.

Meanwhile, his opponent, the Colombian Carrillo, is younger by six years and is currently holding an impressive record of 25-7-1 with 16 knockouts.

Nietes on the other hand flaunts his veteran record of 42-1-5 with 23 knockouts and is expected to outbox his younger opponent with his experience.

According to Edito Villamor, one of Nietes’ coaches, the decorated Filipino boxer hasn’t lost a step and is still in peak form in terms of conditioning.

Villamor bared that Nietes has been sparring for over 100 rounds and continues to work on his body and is only a few kilograms off the weight limit.

Aside from the vacant WBO title, Nietes is seeking to maintain his unbeaten record since 2014 and will be marking his boxing return after three years.