Nietes all set to begin ‘fly’ journey

IT’S ONLY a few days left before Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, faces former champion and No. 4–ranked Mexican Edgar Sosa on Sept. 24 at StubHub Center in Carson City, California .

The 37-year-old Nietes, who relinquished his light flyweight title, has moved up to flyweight on the go-signal of ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer after his successful title defense against Raul Garcia via TKO in May.

Aldeguer told the Inquirer that in Nietes’ last two matches, it was evident that he was having a hard time making the 108-pound limit.

According to Aldeguer, his ward has been training really hard and looks sharp and ready for his first fight in the flyweight division because he’s hoping to impress the fans.

Before Nietes left for the US, over a month ago, he told sportswriters that his fight against Sosa will serve as a starting block in his quest to win another world title.

Nietes is ranked No. 1 by the WBO.

Juan Francisco Estrada, who relinquished his WBA title he won against Brian Viloria via split decision in Macau a few years back, is also the current WBO flyweight champion.

There are reports however, that Estrada will also vacate his belt in the WBO to pursue a rematch with No. 1 pound-for-pound WBC super flyweight champion Ramon “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua.

Coincidentally, Viloria, Estrada and Sosa were all victims of Chocolatito.

The Nicaraguan boxer defeated Estrada in an entertaining unanimous decision in 2012, Viloria via a ninth-round TKO in New York last year and Sosa via a second-round TKO .