by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Little Donnie Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion and the reigning WBO light flyweight champion outscored PBA giant Junmar Fajardo for the coveted “Athlete of the Year” award of the Cebu Sportswriters Association at the Cebu-San Miguel Brewery All Star Awards at the Ayala Activity Center last Tuesday.
Nietes who surpassed the 7 year 3 month record previously held by another all-time great, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde from Bogo, last January 1 and sealed his place in boxing history with a rousing 9th round TKO victory over Mexico’s Gilberto Parra before a big crowd at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday on “Pinoy Pride 30 – D Day,” the blockbuster fight card presented by ALA Promotions and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN.
During a "Tribute to Donnie Nietes" after he surpassed Elorde's 47 year old record, Nietes told the New Standard/Viva Sports that he hopes to extend his reign as a world champion for ten years.
A two division world champion having previously ruled the WBO minimumweight division is now also holder of the prestigious Ring Magazine belt which was presented to him before the Saturday showdown.
Nietes is also ranked by Ring Magazine as No. 46 in its roster of the top 100 active fighters in the world today.
Nietes who faces another Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr, the former minimum weight champion in a mandatory title defense at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on July 4.
Nietes just like San Miguel Beer and national team center Fajardo who towers over him is known for his fighting heart and his discipline which he cited along with hard training as the key to his success.
After a brief rest Nietes said he will be back in the gym to prepare for what is expected to be a tough defense against Rodriguez who had won the WBO minimum weight crown with a stunning 9th round knockout of Merlito Sabillo.
Last week Nietes together with five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire was enshrined in the “Flash” Elorde Hall of Fame in glittering rights at the historiuc Manila Hotel.
The first fighter to be elevated to the coveted Hall of Fame was eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
