Nietes eyes unification title tiff vs Thai

MANILA, Philippines - Donnie “Ahas” Nietes plans to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight belt three or more times before moving up in weight next year.

And that includes a possible unification title fight against World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai of Thailand, which the Filipino champion referred to as his dream match at 105-lb.

“Yun ang isa sa mga gusto ko sanang mangyari bago ako umakyat ng timbang (That’s one of the things I want to happen before I move up in weight),” said the 27-year old Nietes in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.

Sithsamerchai, 24, is undefeated in 33 fights, but with only 12 knockouts. He defended his WBC version of the belt for the third time last Nov. 28 with a majority decison over Juan Palacios of Nicaragua.

“Three or four more title defenses before I fight in heavier class,” added Nietes, stressing he hasn’t had a hard time yet meeting the 105-lb limit.

Fighting under the famed ALA boxing promotions, Nietes will be seeing action in the co-main event of Brian Villoria’s defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown against Colombian Carlos Tamara at the Astrodome this coming Saturday.

Nietes will be up against Mexican Jesus Silvestre in a 10-round non-title bout. Silvestre (15-1, 12 KOs) is a last-minute replacement after compatriot Ivan Meneses and Sammy Gutierrez.

Franklin Albia, Nietes’ trainer who was also at the Forum presented by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, Shakey’s and Accel, said Silvestre has a very good left uppercut.

“Yun ang medyo dapat naming iwasan, yung uppercut ang madalas niyang bitawan,” he said.

Despite the change in his opponents three times, Nietes said nothing has changed as far as his training is concerned, adding he already logged in a total of 160 sparring rounds for his first fight in 2010.

“One hundred percent na po tayong ready para sa laban na ito,” said the champion (25-1, 14 KOs) who is coming off a majority decision over Manuel Vargas last September in Mexico.

Fans who will be looking forward to seeing Nietes carry his pet python in Saturday’s fight would be disappointed however. Don, the 16-foot snake that has been under the care of the champion for the past three years now, won’t be climbing up the ring with the Filipino.