THE man who molded Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes to become a four-division world champion believes he still has what it takes to win another title.
Trainer Edito ‘Ala’ Villamor said there is still gas left in the tank for the 38-year-old Nietes, whose career suffered a setback following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the subsequent closure of ALA Boxing, the long-time promotional outfit of the Murcia, Negros Occidental native.
“Yes, malaki pa ang chance ni Donnie,” said Villamor on Saturday from Cebu.
The 50-year-old former world title holder expressed his views after Nietes signed a promotional deal with MTK Global and D4G Promotions on Friday.
Nietes joins former ALA Promotions stablemate Albert Pagara with the boxing and MMA management and event promotions company that also handles the likes Tyson Fury, Carl Frampton, Michael Conlan, among others.
Pagara was recently signed by MTK Global after the sudden decision of ALA Promotions to close shop.
“I am very happy with this new step in my career,” said Nietes, who previously held titles at mini-flyweight, junior flyweight, flyweight, and super-flyweight, in a statement released by MTK.
“It means so much to me. Being a part of this team is brilliant and I am very grateful.”
Coming on board MTK put Nietes on track of getting a shot at another world crown, which Villamor said is not impossible.
“Kaya niya pa. Grabe naman ang dedication niya sa training kasi since nag-start siya sa ALA gym,” Villamor stressed.
Nietes won his fourth world championship on New Year’s Eve of 2018 when he scored a 12-round split decision against Kazuto Ioka of Japan for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-flyweight crown.
But he subsequently relinquished the title rather than face compatriot Aston Palicte, with whom he drew against when they also fought for the same WBO belt two months earlier.
Nietes also decided to vacate the crown as he tries to seek a big-time fight against the three top elite fighters of the division in Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
If ever, Villamor said he and brother Edmund are very much willing if ever Nietes tries to tap their services again.
“Hindi ko alam kung sino ang trainer na kukunin niya ngayon na bago na ang kanyang promoter,” said Edito.
“Pero puwede yung brother ko at ako na mag-train sa kanya kung kukunin kami ni Donnie.”
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