MANILA – Negrense boxer Donnie Nietes’ hold on the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight belt did not last long. He decided to vacate the world championship yesterday.
The Murcia, Negros Occidental native Nietes said he decided to let go of the world title as he seeks for bigger fights in the super flyweight division rather than to have a rematch with fellow Negrense Aston Palicte, which the WBO mandates.
“After thinking hard about it for a long time, I have decided to vacate my WBO Super flyweight belt. I feel in my heart that there is no point to do a rematch with Aston Palicte after the controversial draw,” Nietes said in a statement.
“I hope to seek bigger fights with the world champions of other organizations. It may or may not happen but I believe this is the right decision under this situation,” added the Negrense boxer.
Nietes, who still holds the record of being the longest reigning Filipino world champion, also said he wanted to give the Bago City native Palicte a chance “to fight for the world title to bring pride and glory to our country.”
WBO has asked the camp of the two Filipino fighters to come up with an agreement within 15 days for the bout, which will serve as a rematch for their first encounter last year. But both camps failed to strike a deal.
The first matchup between the Negrenses Nietes and Palicte, which was for the then vacant WBO super flyweight championship, held last September ended in a controversial split draw.
Nietes went on to capture the belt after a split decision win over Japanese fighter Kazuto Ioka on New Year’s Eve.
Palicte earned the right for a rematch with Nietes after his second round knockout win over Puerto Rican Jose Martinez last week./PN
