Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    Nietes declines Palicte rematch after controversial draw to surrender super-fly belt

    'Ahas' feels there's nothing left to prove to young Palicte
    Mar 1, 2019
    PHOTO: Jhay Otamias

    DONNIE Nietes on Friday relinquished his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-flyweight title as he nixes a rematch with fellow Filipino Aston Palicte.

    The 36-year-old pride of Cebu-based ALA Boxing believes there is nothing more to prove against the young Palicte after their first fight - also for the WBO 115-lb title belt - ended up in a split draw but which a lot of people saw as a clear win for Nietes.

    Instead, Nietes said he'll go after the champions of the other boxing bodies in the same weight class.

    "After thinking 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 the rematch with Aston Palicte after the controversial draw," said Nietes in a statement.

    SEE ALSO
    SEE ALSO

    Nietes won the WBO crown on New Year's Eve with a split decision win over Kazuto Ioka in Macau to become only the third Filipino to win world titles in four weight classes after the great Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr.

    His current record stands at 42-1 with 23 KOs.

    Palicte, 28, earned the rematch with Nietes following a second round stoppage of Jose Martinez in their title eliminator bout held last January 31 in California.

    A purse bid has been set for the Nietes-Palicte return bout until the native of Murcia, Negros Occidental decided to give up his crown in pursuit of a career-defining match.

    "I hope to seek bigger fights with the world champions of the other organizations," said Nietes in the same statement. "It may or it may not happen, but I believe this is the right decision under this situation."

    At the same time, Nietes wants Palicte to win a first ever world title not at the expense of a fellow Filipino.

    "Also I would want to give my fellow Filipino Aston Palicte a chance for fight for the world title to bring pride and glory to our country," added Nietes.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    Palicte has a ring record of 25-2-1 with 21 KOs.

    Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

    Read Next
    Watch Now
    Sorry, no results found for
    PHOTO: Jhay Otamias
  • POLL

    • Quiz

      Quiz Result