Donnie Nietes shoots for immortality tonight when he faces Komgrich Nantapech of Thailand for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight (112 lbs) crown at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
If he gets past Nantapech, younger by almost eight years than the soon-to-be 35-year-old Filipino, Nietes will become a three-division champion after wins at minimumweight (105 lbs) and light-fly (108 lbs).
Only Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire have more than two division titles.
Pacquiao won an unprecedented eight titles while Donaire has four.
Other Filipino two-division titlists include Dodie Boy (108 and 112 lbs) and Gerry Penalosa (115 and 118) and Luisito Espinosa (118 and 126).
During yesterday’s official weighin at the Robinson’s Galleria, Nietes came in at the division limit of 112 after stripping naked.
The Thai also came in at 112.
Nietes has a 39-1-4 mark with 22 KOs while Nantapech has a 22-3 with 15 KOs.
Nietes will attempt to join Pacquiao and Jerwin Ancajas as the country’s reigning world champs following the heartbreaking stripping of bantam Marlon Tapales last week in Osaka.