IBF flyweight world champion Donnie Nietes (41-1-4, 23 KOs) is prepared to head up to the super flyweight division to pursue the bigger names in that weight class.
Nietes made his HBO debut last month, as part of the Superfly 2 card in Los Angeles, and stopped Juan Carlos Reveco.
Since heading up to 112, Nietes has dominated Reveco of Argentina, Edgar Sosa of Mexico and Komgrich Nantapech of Thailand.
Some of the bigger fights at the weight include Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand.
“I’m really decided to go up in weight,” said Nietes to The Inquirer. “I have no [hesitations], I’m really going to move up to 115."
“Actually, I really, really want to fight at 115 because that’s where the big names and great boxers are. That’s where my dream fights are,” Nietes stressed.
Those are the goals for Nietes in the immediate future. HBO is very interested in picking any contests where Nietes is matched against some of the tops names at 115.
There are already plans underway to stage a Superfly 3 card in the fall.
“He wants the biggest fights out there,” said ALA promotions chief Mike Aldeguer, who has handled Nietes since day one. “He’s waited for so long.”
“I remember before, the reason why he moved up to 112, I think a lot of you noticed, is because ‘Chocolatito’ and Estrada are at 112,” Aldeguer said.
“But right after he moved up to 112, they moved up to 115 so I saw his face, I remember he came to me and said ‘sir, wala na pala si Chocolatito they moved up already’ and I told him it’s okay and I saw his patience and that’s Donnie for you. He just works hard and he wants to get the title and then, now this was a big break for him.”
