Nietes seeks 4th world title on New Year’s eve vs Ioka

MANILA, Philippines — There’ll be fireworks inside the ring tonight when Filipino Donnie Nietes seeks a world title in a fourth weight class against Japan’s Kazuto Ioka in Macau.

“Bakbakan (slugfest) sa New Year,” Nietes’ trainer, Edito Villamor, told The STAR on the eve of the anticipated showdown for the vacant WBO super-flyweight crown.

The Wynn Palace Cotai will be the venue of the New Year’s Eve clash between two of the biggest names in the smaller weight division of 115 pounds.

Nietes was right on the dot when he tipped the scales yesterday while Ioka was a shade lighter at 114.5.

Villamor said Nietes, at 36 , still a force to reckon with, will climb the ring between 125 and 130 pounds.

“His training weight is 125 pounds. Doon siya comfortable,” added Villamor of Nietes, who hasn’t lost in 34 fights dating back to 2004.

Nietes has won world titles in the minimumweight, light-flyweight and flyweight divisions, and is hoping to add the super-flyweight crown to his collection. He has a ring record of 41-1-5 with 23 knockouts.

He took a shot at the same title last September but was held to a split draw by countryman Aston Palicte in Inglewood, California.

“Excited si Donnie. Ready na for a fourth world title,” said Villamor.

Like Nietes, the 29-year-old Japanese is trying to become a champion in a fourth weight class, having held world titles at 104, 108 and 112 pounds.