Donnie Nietes vs Aston Palicte for world title?

MANILA, Philippines — Another all-Filipino clash, this time featuring long-time world champion Donnie Nietes and Aston Palicte, looms in the horizon.

Based on his earlier pronouncement, Nietes vacated his IBF flyweight crown, in search of the bigger, more lucrative fights at 115 pounds.

Nietes, 35, is eyeing ex-pound-for-pound king Roman “Chokolatito” Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada or McWilliams Arroyo.

Also in the way of Nietes are WBC champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and another Filipino, IBF super-flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas, who will defend his crown against countryman Jonas Sultan on May 27 in Las Vegas.

But before he gets there, Nietes may find himself vying for the vacant WBO crown, recently vacated by Naoya Inoue.

Nietes (41-1-4 with 23 knockouts) may end up as the No. 1 contender for the WBO crown if Gonzales, who just took back-to-back losses to Rungvisai, sues for time.

If that happens, the 27-year-old Palicte (24-2 with 20 knockouts) may end up facing Nietes for the world title.

Nietes, who will turn 36 next month, said he’s willing to face anybody, even a fellow Filipino like Palicte or Ancajas.

It was reported that the WBO may consider holding two eliminator bouts to determine who will challenge for the vacant title at 115.

That includes Palicte and, somewhere in time, Ancajas.