Donnie Nietes is a master inside the boxing ring and yet, what he does with his fists is not the reason why he’s the longest reigning Filipino world champion.
“Attitude,” his longtime trainer Edito Villamor told INQUIRER.net. “That’s his secret.”
“He’ll do what you tell him to do. He respects us, he respects everyone and he’s humble,” Villamor said in Filipino.
Nietes has been a world champion since September 30, 2007, a span of 21 fights. The only time he came close to yielding his belt was against Moises Fuentes in 2013 when he settled for a majority draw. The following year, Nietes left nothing to chance and stopped Fuentes in the ninth round.
His latest victory, the 41st of his professional career, was when he picked apart former champion Juan Carlos Reveco in seven rounds before a nationally-televised fight in the US last month.
IBF flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes. Photo by Mark Giongco
What’s equally impressive is how he remains the same person he once was.
“He’s great in the ring but even greater out of the ring,” said ALA Promotions chief Mike Aldeguer, who’s handled Nietes since day one. “He’s never been late to training, he’s never argued with his coach, never overweight for a fight and a humble guy, who’s just destined for success.”
“He’s always an example to all the young fighters out there that if you work hard and just stay humble, success will come to you,” Aldeguer added.
Nietes insisted that there’s no secret to his seemingly interminable reign, though he said he gets better with age.
“I’m like wine. The older, the sweeter,” Nietes said in Filipino. “I don’t have any secret. I just train when I have a fight. Just train hard and be patient.”
Villamor begs to differ.
“His attitude is what makes him great, it’s what makes him the longest reigning Filipino champion, it’s what makes him a legend.”