Donnie Nietes (41-1-4, 23 KOs) has officially announced that he's vacating the IBF flyweight title and plans to make a full move to the super flyweight division.
Nietes, who captured world titles at minimumweight, junior flyweight and flyweight, picked up the IBF title back in February with a seventh round knockout of Juan Carlos Reveco at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
The fight was televised by HBO as part of their "Superfly 2" event.
Even though Nietes is was not a super flyweight, HBO decided to place him on the televised card - because the Filipino veteran made it clear that he was planning to move up 115 in the near future and he wanted to fight the top guys.
"Today, I have made my decision to move up to 115 and vacate my IBF flyweight world title, this is the challenge I have been waiting for. to go up in weight is never easy but this is my dream to become a 4th division world champion and to fight all the big names at super flyweight," Nietes said in a statement from ALA Promotions.
"I would like to sincerely thank the IBF for giving me the opportunity to be a world champion of their organization and the WBO for putting me now as the #1 contender to fight for the vacant WBO super flyweight title.
"Finally, I would like to thank ALA promotions, my coaches and ABS-CBN for all the support they have given me throughout my career, I would have never accomplished everything I have now without them. This is a new challenge for me and I am very happy that ALA Promotions has supported me to pursue my dream of a 4th division world title.
"Last but not the least, thank you to my family, the media and to my fans for supporting me in the past and I hope you would still be there as I face the tougher challenge in a new weight division. God Bless you all!"
