FILE–Philippines’ Donnie Nietes. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Donnie Nietes plans to keep fighting until he’s 45 years old.
Nietes is already 40 years old but he knows his body more than anyone and he believes boxing “another three to five years” is attainable.
“I don’t have any vices and I am not that abusive to my body, so I believe I can still be fighting for that long,” Nietes said in an interview with Probellum.
“As a boxer, you need discipline, hard work and to be consistent in your training.”
Nietes is not only confident but he also has the resumé to back it up.
The Negros Occidental native holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning Filipino boxing champion.
He also hasn’t dropped a fight in 18 years.
Nietes will also have a chance to show that he still has a lot left in his tank in his rematch against Japanese rival Kazuto Ioka for the WBO super flyweight belt—a title he never lost in the first place.
In 2018, Nietes beat Ioka by split decision to win the vacant WBO crown, which he decided to relinquish after he refused WBO’s order to fight fellow Filipino Aston Palicte a second time to pursue other champions in the 115-pound division.
“I think this win would rank as the greatest victory of my career because the fight is taking place in his hometown,” Nietes said.
“I am really excited for this rematch with Ioka and I plan to use the same tactics as in 2018 because I don’t believe he has changed much since our first fight.”