Nietes ready to pounce on Thai champ

Former WBO minimumweight and lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes said he’s not thinking about making history in battling Thailand’s Komgrich Nantapech for the vacant IBF flyweight title at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino ballroom in Cebu tonight. Although he has a chance to mark a milestone by becoming only the third Filipino fighter to capture at least three world titles after Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr., Nietes insisted his focus is only on taking care of business in disposing of Nantapech – no more, no less.

If there’s pressure in trying to make history, Nietes said it’s far from his mind. What’s consuming Nietes is Nantapech’s claim that he’ll win the IBF crown because the Filipino is “old.” Nietes is 34 and Nantapech, 27. The Thai said it’s his time to shine and Nietes is over the hill. “I’m like wine,” Nietes told

The STAR yesterday. “Habang tumatagal, sumasarap. Ang masasabi ko kay Nantapech ay subukan niyang talunin ako. Handang handa na ako makipaglaban. Wala akong takot.”

Nietes declined to make a prediction on the outcome and said he’ll wait for the right timing to score a knockout. “Hindi ko mamadaliin,” he said. “Patience lang. Hahanap ako ng timing. Pag dumating ang pagkakataon, may paglalagyan siya.”

Nietes admitted consulting ALA stablemate Albert Pagara on how to deal with Nantapech. In 2012, the Thai was knocked out by Pagara in the second round in Maasin City. Nantapech returned to the Philippines the next year only to lose to Froilan Saludar on points in Makati. Nietes said he didn’t bother to view Nantapech’s fights against Pagara and Saludar on film, studying instead the Thai’s more recent outings. But Pagara offered solid advice.

“Sabi ni Albert, sugod ng sugod si Nantapech kaya madaling tamaan,” said Nietes. “Siguradong mag-aadjust siya ng style. Sa tingin ko, matatamaan ko ng overhand right at bumababa ang kaniyang kaliwang kamay. Timing lang ang kailangan.”

Nietes said even as it’s only his second fight as a flyweight, he’s comfortable at 112. Last September, he made his flyweight debut with a win by decision over Mexico’s Edgar Sosa in Carson City. Nietes said depending on how his body responds, he could move up to superflyweight at 115 and even to bantamweight at 118 as the years go by. Retiring is far from his immediate plans and he said if Pacquiao is still going strong at 38, there’s no reason why he can’t continue fighting for at least four more years.

At yesterday’s weigh-in, both Nietes and Nantapech tipped the scales at 112 pounds.

What Nietes found intriguing was a possible match-up against newly designated WBO bantamweight champion Zolani Tete who defeated his ALA stablemate Arthur Villanueva in Leicester last Saturday. ALA stable chief trainer Edito Villamor said Nietes and Tete are both technical fighters so an encounter would be an interesting, tactical duel.

“Aakyat pa ako sa bantamweight para makalaban ko si Tete,” said Nietes. “Baka pagakyat ko ng ilang taon, nakaakyat na rin si Tete sa higher weight division at hindi ko na siya maabutan.” Nietes, however, said he wouldn’t back down in taking on the South African.

Nietes said while Nantapech fights like former pound-for-pound Ring Magazine king Roman (Chocolatito) Gonzalez’ conqueror Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, the Thais aren’t in the same class. Srisaket’s upset win over the previously unbeaten Gonzalez has stoked speculation that Nantapech could score a similar victory over the favored Nietes. “Nantapech is a brawler like Srisaket but I don’t think he’s close to fighting like him,” said Nietes. “Nantapech has a strong defense and throws a lot of punches. Thai fighters never give up. This bout means so much to me because I would like to be a champion in every division I fight in.”

Gerard White of Palo Alto, California, will be the third man in the ring. Judges will be Katsuhiko Nakamura of Japan, Somsak Sirianant of Thailand and Greg Ortega of Legazpi City, Albay. GAB boxing commissioner Fritz Gaston will be the IBF championship supervisor.