By Adrian Stewart Co

Boxing promotions from Japan and the United States (US) are looking to revive the career of Negrense boxer Donnie Nietes, who become a free agent due to the closing of Cebu City-based ALA Boxing Promotions.

In a report by the Philboxing.com, Japan-based Tekken Promotions and a USA-based boxing promotion that relates to former world champion Roy Jones, Jr. are looking to sign up Nietes.

The Murcia, Negros Occidental-native has not stepped into the ring since December 31, 2018 after he scored a split decision win over Japanese Kazuto Ioka for the WBO world super flyweight belt.

The 38-year-old Nietes immediately relinquished the world championship at the start of 2019 as he avoided a world championship clash with fellow Negrense boxer Aston Palicte. The two previously clashed for the same WBO belt but ended up in a draw.

Since then, he was inactive from boxing due to shoulder injury. He was supposed to make his boxing return this year but the COVID-19 pandemic halted his plans.

Nietes currently has a 42-1-5 win-loss-draw ring record, including 23 stoppage wins. The Negrense boxer’s lone defeat was a controversial decision against Indonesian Angka Angkotta in 2004./ASC, WDJ