Most Filipino boxers came from humble beginnings before they became world champions, rich and famous like Manny Pacquiao.  However, nobody could come close to Donnie Nietes story as narrated to me by one of his trainers, Edito Villamor.

He started in ALA gym not as a boxer but as a Utility Man, the scientific way of saying Janitor or we in America will say a Custodian or a Building Maintenance Custodian.  When he was still in his youth, he was recommended by his uncle who was also a boxer and a friend of Edito to work in ALA gym at whatever capacity just to earn a living and support his poor family.  Mr. Antonio Aldeguer, the owner of ALA Promotions and ALA gym, as always, found  in his heart to accommodate those in dire needs who wanted to better themselves and their families.

In between his work as a utility man, Nietes showed an utmost interest in boxing which he believed was his calling.  Possibly because he worked inside a boxing gym and found inspiration from the boxers he mingled with and from them he molded a dream to become a successful boxer, too.  Little did he know that he would be a world champion, although, it is expected from any boxer under the ALA Promotions/Gym.   ALA discovered that Nietes besides being a kind-hearted person, is disciplined, has firm determination and has potential to be a good boxer.  So, after his daily work, they allowed him to exchange his tools of brooms and mops with boxing gloves and joined the other boxers in training.

A month shy of 21 years old, he turned professional on April 25, 2003 late in his life as compared to Manny Pacquiao who became a professional at the age of 16.  Simply because he is a breadwinner first rather than a boxer.  He became the Philippines Boxing Federation champion a year later by disposing of Joseph Villasis on a 1^st round TKO on May 22, 2004.  His first stint outside of the Philippines was in Indonesia winning the first 2 fights in August and September of 2004.  However, 21 days later he suffered his only lost of his career against Indonesian Angky Angkota.  On November 24, 2006 he won the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight title by knocking out another Indonesian Heri Amol in the 2^nd round which he defended twice.  Ten months later on September 30, 2007 he became a world champion by capturing the vacant WBO minimumweight title against Pornsawan Porpramook of Thailand via a 12 round unanimous decision in Cebu City, Philippines.

Nietes already defended his crown twice.  His first defense was against Nicaraguan Eddie Castro in Cebu City on August 30, 2008 and his second was against Mexican Erik Ramirez in Mexico on February 28, 2009.

Nietes (24 (14KO), 1,3) arrived in Los Angeles last month and was currently training at the wild card gym under the watchful eyes of Edito and Edmundo Villamor and Freddie Roach for his 3^rd title defense against Manuel “Chango” Vargas (26(11KO),3(1KO),1)on July 18, 2009 in Mexico.  Edito expects him to win again without any problem.

As we usually say, heaven smiles on those who work hard, especially for Nietes who has humble beginning as a Utility Man to become a world boxing champion.