The missing one

In last Thursday’s Star 25th anniversary issue, we ran a list of the 25 greatest Filipino fighters ever and there was a glaring omission. It’s a testament to what ALA Promotions owner Tony Aldeguer has often said – former WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes just can’t seem to get the recognition he deserves.

Nietes, of course, should’ve been on the list. The man known as “Ahas” (he often parades with a pet python around his neck and shoulders) won the vacant WBO 105-pound title via a unanimous 12-round decision over Thailand’s Pornsawan Porpramook in 2007. He repulsed four challengers, three in Mexico, and is unbeaten in his last 19 bouts since losing a split decision to Angky Angkota in Jakarta in 2004. 

Nietes, 29, has relinquished his WBO crown to campaign in the lightflyweight division and in his debut as a 108-pounder, he demolished Mexico’s Armando Vazquez in a single round in Bacolod City last April. He’s set to face WBO lightflyweight titlist Ramon Garcia of Mexico in Bacolod City on Sept. 10 in a bid to become the seventh Filipino to capture at least two world titles in different divisions after Manny Pacquiao, Luisito Espinosa, Gerry and Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria.

Garcia, 28, is a southpaw who took the WBO title via a fourth round stoppage of Jesus Geles in Mexico City last April. He has battled only one Filipino so far in a career that began in 2007. Garcia pounded out a split 12-round decision over Johnriel Casimero in Los Mochis last year. His record is 16-2-1, with nine KOs compared to Nietes’ 28-1-3, with 16 KOs.

In “The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists,” authors Bert Randolph Sugar and Teddy Atlas named Nietes as one of the top five all-time minimumweight fighters in the world. Sugar listed Nietes with Ricardo Lopez, Calderon, Ratanapol Sor Vorapin and Jose Antonio Aguirre while Atlas included the Filipino in his lineup with Sor Vorapin, Roman Gonzalez, Calderon and Lopez.

“It’s sad not to gain recognition with all what Donnie has accomplished,” said Aldeguer. “Donnie still hasn’t gotten the recognition he deserves but we believe that his time will come. I feel he will reign long as the new lightflyweight champion. Donnie knows how to handle his earnings and prides himself with owning two lots in his hometown and is building a dream house on a lot I gifted him with after winning the world title. He drives his own car and has substantial bank deposits from his earnings in his title defenses in Mexico.”

Aldeguer pointed out that next to Flash Elorde, Nietes held a world title the longest among Filipino champions.  Nietes reigned for three years and six months. Luisito Espinosa held the WBC featherweight crown from December 1995 to May 1999, losing it to Cesar Soto in his eighth defense. “Nietes is the only Filipino to have defended his title thrice in hostile Mexico,” continued Aldeguer. “He was chosen one of the five best-ever minimumweights by boxing historian Bert Sugar.”

Nietes will certainly add to his legacy if he dethrones Garcia.

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Legit Status took the Philippines to the semifinals of the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas and only 12 teams will be left to compete in the finals at the Orleans Arena tomorrow morning (Manila time).

It was a smooth ride to the semifinals for the country’s team of eight dancers in the 18-and-under varsity category. There were 50 teams that checked in and half got the pink slip after the preliminaries where Singapore took first, US second, New Zealand third and down the line, the Philippines eighth. Today’s semifinals will trim the list to 12 for the finals.

Legit Status made its debut on the world stage in 2009, placing seventh of 41 in the preliminaries and advanced to the finals of the varsity division. Last year, the group finished sixth of 62. Coach Vicente (Vimi) Rivera brought back only Suzie Agustin of Ateneo from the previous crew so the seven other dancers are rookies, namely, Korinne Aniban and Rammy Bitong of De La Salle University, Justin Silva of La Salle Greenhills, Mark Tabangcura and Derek Clutario of University of Sto. Tomas and Leo Segundo and Gabby Dario of the University of the Philippines.

Dario’s father Teddy said the team will definitely give its best to bring home the bacon. “They’ve been practicing daily for more than four months now,” he said. “It’s a tough knockout type competition so teams are sent home as early as the second day and daily until they are pruned down to the finals.” The competition began last Tuesday. 

Heavy favorites are defending champion Zero from Japan, Illest Vibe from Canada and Sorority of New Zealand in the varsity class. The New Zealand group ReQuest took the varsity title in 2009 and the adult crown last year. The Philippines is the only country to capture two adult championships with the All-Stars in 2006 and 2008. Each dance group performs a two-minute routine in every phase of the competition. The winning team will receive a gold medal and $25,000 in cash and prizes.