Donnie Nietes


Donnie Liboon Nietes is a Filipino professional boxer who has won world titles in four weight-classes, having previously held the World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight title from 2007 to 2011; the WBO and The Ring magazine junior-flyweight titles between 2011 and 2016, the International Boxing Federation flyweight title from 2017 to 2018; and the WBO junior-bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019. He is the longest-reigning Filipino boxing world champion, surpassing in 2014 the record set in 1967 by Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. He was one of the first three Asian fighters with world titles in at least four weight classes alongside fellow Filipinos Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire.
IG donnienietes

Nickname

Regarding how Nietes got his nickname "Ahas" which is Tagalog for "snake," Tony Aldeguer states:

Professional career

Early years

Nietes worked as a utility man at the now-disbanded Antonio Lopez Aldeguer's (ALA) boxing gym before taking up boxing after being encouraged by the practitioners with whom he socialized.
In 2003, at the age of 20, Nietes started his career as a professional boxer. On, May 22, 2004, he won the Philippines Boxing Federation light flyweight title against Joseph Villasis via first-round technical knockout. Nietes was undefeated before losing in his bout against Angky Angkota via 10-round split decision on September 28, 2004. Angkota weighed in six pounds over the weight limit for this fight.
On November 24, 2006, Nietes won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight Title against Heri Amol of Indonesia via second-round knockout. He defended the title twice against Thai boxers Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo and Sakulpan Pakdee Gym prior to world title fights in minimumweight division.

Minimumweight

On September 30, 2007, Nietes fought then undefeated Pornsawarn Kratingdaenggym of Thailand for the vacant WBO Minimumweight World Title in Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines. Although Nietes floored Kratingdaenggym in the fourth round, the Thai boxer managed to get up and last until the final bell. The bout ended in a unanimous decision in favor of Nietes.
Three times, Nietes has been pitted with fighters against whom he was supposed to defend his title, however, all plans have fallen through for undisclosed reasons. Because of this, he was at risk of being stripped off his belt, as WBO rules state that a champion has to defend his title within a year. After 11 months of inactivity, he finally defended his crown, against Eddy Castro on August 30, 2008. Nietes won the fight by technical knockout at 2:49 mark of the second round.
Nietes defended his title for the second time by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Erik Ramirez on February 28, 2009. En route to the win, Nietes sent Ramirez to the canvass four times in separate rounds.
In his third defense, Nietes battled interim champion Manuel Vargas on September 12, 2009. Nietes won the bout by split decision.
On January 23, 2010, Nietes was supposed to defend his WBO title for the fourth time. After a couple of opponents backed out, Mexico's Jesus Silvestre became the last resort. But because Silvestre wasn't ranked in the WBO, Nietes' title wasn't wagered and the bout was only 10 rounds. In the fight, both boxers did well and appeared strong. In the 10th and final round, Nietes was declared winner by TKO when Silvestre stopped to take a drink of water during the fight, a move that was against the rules.
In his fourth title defense, Nietes fought Mexico's Mario Rodriguez. The fight took place on August 14, 2010, at the Auditorio Luis Estrada Medina in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. The Filipino pugilist won the bout by unanimous decision with scores of 119–109, 118-110 and 116–112.
Nietes was scheduled to defend his title on March 12, 2011, against mandatory challenger and former champion Raul Garcia. However, less than two weeks before the fight, Nietes announced that he would be vacating his world title and moving up in weight. On April 9, 2011, Nietes faced Armando Vazquez and defeated him via first round knock out.

Light flyweight

On October 8, 2011, Nietes defeated Mexico's Ramón García Hirales via 12-round unanimous decision to win the WBO Light Flyweight title. Nietes defended the title on June 2, 2012, against Felipe Salguero via unanimous decision.
Nietes retained his WBO Light Flyweight title against WBO Minimumweight champion Moises Fuentes on March 2, 2013, via a majority draw.
On November 15, 2014, the Bacolod native successfully defended his WBO and The Ring Light Flyweight titles by stopping Carlos Velarde of Mexico in the 7th round. Nietes became the longest-reigning Filipino world champion on that same day, surpassing the record previously held by Gabriel Elorde.

Flyweight

After breaking Elorde's record, Nietes successfully defended his title four more times before deciding to move up to the flyweight division. His first flyweight fight was against former WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa on September 24, 2016. On April 29, 2017, Nietes became the third Filipino boxer to win world titles in three different weight divisions, along with Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire when he defeated Thailand's Komgrich Nantapech. He successfully defended his title against the mandatory challenger Argentinaian and former two division world champion Juan Carlos Reveco winning via Technical Knockout after Reveco's corner throws in the towel, on the 7th round of the fight. On June 14, 2018, Nietes entered The Ring magazine's pound for pound list for the first time in his career at the number nine spot.

Junior bantamweight

Nietes made his debut in the junior-bantamweight division against Filipino compatriot Aston Palicte for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight Championship. The fight ended in a split decision draw, 118-110 for Nietes, 116-112 for Palicte and a 114–114 draw at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Punch count statistics saw Nietes, 36, land 194 punches, 70 more than Palicte, his 40 percent of punches landed was nearly twice the accuracy rate of his rival. While not beaten, Nietes was denied a victory that would have put him alongside Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire as the only Asian fighters with world titles in at least four weight classes. He eventually won the same vacant title after defeating Kazuto Ioka via split decision on December 21, 2018, becoming the third Asian to win world titles in at least four weight classes.
On February 6, 2019, the WBO ordered a rematch of Nietes and Palicte after a controversial result of their first fight. On February 28, 2019, Nietes decided to vacate his WBO Junior Bantamweight title to pursue more lucrative fights in a different organization or weight class.
On April 3, 2021, Nietes fought Pablo Carillo, for the vacant WBO International junior-bantamweight title. Nietes won via unanimous decision, the scorecards were, 99–91, 98-92 and 96–95. On December 11, 2021, Nietes made his first title defense against Norbelto Jimenez at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The fight ended in a ten-round split decision draw. The scores were 96-94 Nietes, 96-94 Jimenez and 95-95 and Nietes was able to retain his WBO International junior-bantamweight title.
On April 1, 2022, the WBO ordered Kazuto Ioka to make a mandatory title defense against Nietes. The bout was a rematch of their December 31, 2018 fight, in which Nietes won by split decision. Both parties came to an agreement a month later, and officially announced the bout for July 13, 2022. Nietes lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 120–108, 118–110 and 117–111.

Bantamweight

Nietes is set to face Muhammad Waseem on July 22, 2023, in Dubai for the vacant IBO bantamweight world title. The fight has been postponed due to visa issue by Waseem's team.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
53LossJun IkegawaUD6May 20, 2025Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
52WinMiller AlaporminaUD6Apr 10, 2025The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines
51LossKazuto IokaUD12Jul 13, 2022Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, JapanFor WBO junior-bantamweight title
50Draw43–1–6Norbelto JimenezSD10Dec 11, 2021Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAERetained WBO International junior-bantamweight title
49Win43–1–5Pablo CarilloUD10Apr 3, 2021The Rotunda Caesars Palace Bluewaters, Dubai, UAEWon vacant WBO International junior-bantamweight title
48Win42–1–5Kazuto IokaSD12Dec 31, 2018Wynn Palace, Macau, SARWon vacant WBO junior-bantamweight title
47Draw41–1–5Aston Palicte12Sep 8, 2018The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.For vacant WBO junior-bantamweight title
46Win41–1–4Juan Carlos RevecoTKO7, 0:53Feb 24, 2018The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
45Win40–1–4Komgrich NantapechUD12Apr 29, 2017Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesWon vacant IBF flyweight title
44Win39–1–4Edgar SosaUD12Sep 24, 2016StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental flyweight title
43Win38–1–4Raul GarciaRTD5, 3:00May 28, 2016La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod, PhilippinesRetained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
42Win37–1–4Juan AlejoUD12Oct 17, 2015StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.Retained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
41Win36–1–4Francisco Rodríguez Jr.UD12Jul 11, 2015Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesRetained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
40Win35–1–4Gilberto ParraRTD9, 3:00Mar 28, 2015Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, PhilippinesRetained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
39Win34–1–4Carlos Velarde7, 3:00Nov 15, 2014Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesRetained WBO and The Ring junior-flyweight titles
38Win33–1–4Moisés FuentesTKO9, 2:56May 10, 2014Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, PhilippinesRetained WBO junior-flyweight title;
Won vacant The Ring junior-flyweight title
37Win32–1–4Sammy GutiérrezTKO3, 2:58Nov 30, 2013Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, PhilippinesRetained WBO junior-flyweight title
36Draw31–1–4Moisés FuentesMD12Mar 2, 2013Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesRetained WBO junior-flyweight title
35Win31–1–3Danai MeendaengKO5, 2:46Nov 17, 2012Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, Dumaguete, Philippines
34Win30–1–3Felipe SalgueroUD12Jun 2, 2012Resorts World Manila, Pasay, PhilippinesRetained WBO junior-flyweight title
33Win29–1–3Ramón García HiralesUD12Oct 8, 2011La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod, PhilippinesWon WBO junior-flyweight title
32Win28–1–3Armando VazquezKO1, 2:26Apr 9, 2011La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod, Philippines
31Win27–1–3Mario RodríguezUD12Aug 14, 2010Auditorio Luis Estrada Medina, Guasave, MexicoRetained WBO mini-flyweight title
30Win26–1–3Jesús SilvestreTKO10, 1:37Jan 23, 2010Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay, Philippines
29Win25–1–3Manuel VargasSD12Sep 12, 2009El Palenque de la Feria, Tepic, MexicoRetained WBO mini-flyweight title
28Win24–1–3Erik RamirezUD12Feb 28, 2009Auditorio Guelaguetza, Oaxaca, MexicoRetained WBO mini-flyweight title
27Win23–1–3Eddy CastroKO2, 2:49Aug 30, 2008Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesRetained WBO mini-flyweight title
26Win22–1–3Pornsawan PorpramookUD12Sep 30, 2007Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesWon vacant WBO mini-flyweight title
25Win21–1–3Saengpetch Sor SakulphanTKO7, 0:36Jul 7, 2007Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesRetained WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
24Win20–1–3Thongthailek Sor TanapinyoKO2, 1:10Apr 21, 2007New City Coliseum, Victorias, PhilippinesRetained WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
23Win19–1–3Heri AmolKO2, 0:46Nov 24, 2006Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, PhilippinesWon vacant WBO Asia Pacific mini-flyweight title
22Win18–1–3Robert RubillarUD10Aug 12, 2006Sports Complex, Minglanilla, Philippines
21Win17–1–3Noel VeronqueUD6Jan 15, 2006Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, Philippines
20Win16–1–3Allan DugangUD8Dec 30, 2005CPG Multi-Purpose Center, Talibon, Philippines
19Win15–1–3Randy NarbayKO2, 1:29Sep 25, 2005Island City Mall, Tagbilaran, Philippines
18Win14–1–3Allan DugangUD10Aug 28, 2005Town Plaza, Panglao, Philippines
17Draw13–1–3Nino Suelo1, 1:26Jul 30, 2005San Andres Civic & Sports Center, Manila, Philippines
16Win13–1–2Elmer MuycoUD10Apr 30, 2005Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
15Win12–1–2Ricardo AlbiaTKO7, 1:06Jan 29, 2005Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
14Draw11–1–2Carlo BesaresMD10Nov 20, 2004University of Mindanao Gymnasium, Tagum, Philippines
13Loss11–1–1Angky AngkotaSD10Sep 28, 2004RCTI Studios, Jakarta, Indonesia
12Win11–0–1Abrin MattaTKO5 Sep 7, 2004BIN Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia
11Win10–0–1Marti PoliiTKO7, 2:15Aug 3, 2004RCTI Studios, Jakarta, Indonesia
10Win9–0–1Robert CosteloTKO1, 1:58Jun 29, 2004Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, PhilippinesRetained PBF junior-flyweight title
9Win8–0–1Joseph VillasisTKO1, 1:16May 22, 2004Ynares Sr. Memorial Gym, Binangonan, PhilippinesWon vacant
8Win7–0–1Robert RubillarTKO7, 1:22Mar 28, 2004Ynares Sr. Memorial Gym, Binangonan, Philippines
7Win6–0–1Julius Alcos10Feb 28, 2004Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
6Win5–0–1Rolando BaclayoKO4, 2:40Dec 27, 2003Sports Complex, Danao, Cebu, Philippines
5Win4–0–1Roldan Malinao4, 2:30Oct 4, 2003Sports & Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Philippines
4Draw3–0–1Greg Mangan8Aug 16, 2003New Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines
3Win3–0Rommel Tura1, 2:57Jun 12, 2003Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, Philippines
2Win2–0Mario Jun de AsisUD6May 31, 2003Town Plaza, Catmon, Philippines
1Win1–0Walter Suaybaguio6Apr 25, 2003Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando, Philippines

Titles in boxing

Major world titles:
The Ring magazine titles:
  • The Ring junior flyweight champion'
Regional/International titles:
Honorary titles:'''

Awards and recognition

Legacy

A statue of Nietes was built in Murcia, Negros Occidental.