Nietes and Palicte battle for the WBO Title
As part of the Superfly 3 card on Sept. 8 in Inglewood, California former Strawweight, Jr. Flyweight and Flyweight world champion Donnie Nietes of the Philippines will face countryman Aston Palicte for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight title.
Donnie Nietes
Donnie Nietes (41-1-4, 23 KOs) is one of smoothest boxers in the sport. On a 14-year winning streak, Nietes doesn’t have many weaknesses. He can box on the outside when he wants and can fight on the front foot when necessary. Further, he can go to the head and body equally well while staying defensively responsible. In short, the 36-year is an all-around, schooled fighter with one of the highest IQ’s in the sport.
Aston Palicte
While largely unknown even among boxing pundits, Aston Palicte (24-2, 20 KOs) has lowkey been on a roll; winning 13 of his last 14 fights since 2013. His only loss is a disputed 10-round decision loss to Junior Granados in Mexico in 2016. Not only is Palicte the younger man at age 28, but also has a 4-inch height advantage over Nietes. At 5’7”, Palicte is the naturally larger fighter.
With power, underrated hand speed and good combination punching, Palicte will provide some issues that Nietes hasn’t had to deal with in quite some time from a sheer physical standpoint. Palicte’s weakness? He’s a bit open defensively and can be hit.
Donnie is moving up to Super Flyweight to seek an eventual big-money fight. In order to get the big-money fight he craves, he must defeat Palicte. Nietes certainly has the skill, class and overall experience to outbox Palicte. I see Nietes winning this fight by decision, but Palicte is a live underdog and has the power and size to make Nietes uncomfortable in spots.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
