Nietes wants 4th world title to usher in new year

Donnie Nietes, the Filipino former boxing champ who has not lost in 14 years, hopes to put on the fire works against fellow veteran Kazuto Ioka of Japan right on New Year’s Eve at Wynn Palace Cotai in Macau.

Nietes, who hails from Negros Occidental, tipped the scale at 114.5 pounds, while Ioka checked in at 114.6 lb giving a go to their bout for the vacant WBO super flyweight title.

Nietes, the 36-year-old fighter coming from a draw against fellow Filipino Aston Palicte last September, is gunning for his fourth title in a different weight division.

Ioka is riding the crest of his win over McWilliams Arroyo last September.

The betting lines have been drawn in favor of the hard-chin Nietes, who is listed an 8-11 favorite over Ioka, according to Oddschecker.

Both Nietes (41-1-5 with 23 knockouts) and Ioka (23-1 with 13 KOs) are hoping to score a victory that would place them among A-list fighters.

Ioka, a regular New Year’s Eve fare for Asian boxing fans, acknowledged Nietes’ skills and experience.

“It’s going to be a difficult and uncomfortable fight,” Ioka was quoted by boxingscene.com.

But Nietes is not taking it easy.

He has not lost a fight since a split decision defeat to Indonesia’s Angky Angkota in 2004. And he vowed to level up this time against the Japanese.

Nietes is the longest-reigning Filipino world champion—10 years and eight months.