The top P4P fighter in the post-Mayweather era has a new challenger, this time from a lower weight class.
Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez knocked out Brian Viloria, who has Filipino roots, last October 17, and now, a homegrown Filipino champion wants to take his shot.
Donnie Nietes, nicknamed "Ahas" (Snake) has not lost a fight in over a decade but since very little attention has been given to the lower weight classes, he only made his US debut last Saturday winning a unanimous decision over Juan Alejo of Mexico.
The longest reigning world boxing champion in Philippine history confided to Rappler about his desire to take a shot at the Nicaraguan titlist.
"Yes I can beat him," Nietes said of Chocolatito. "If that fight will come my way I will train double and study the way he fights. But the decision will always come first from my manager. I just want for the time to come and I am ready."
ALA Promotions Michael Aldeguer, who handles Nietes, has also confirmed to Ring TV that he has spoken to his counterparts about a possible match.
"We had a discussion, HBO also wanted to talk about it but we felt it was premature to discuss it before the results on Saturday. We'll resume the talks again. Nietes wants the fight. I think they also want the fight," said Aldeguer, president of ALA Promotions. (h/t Bad Left Hook).
Perhaps the best thing that Roman Gonzalez has done is to bring attention to the oft-neglected lower weight classes. Most of the spotlight is centered on the welterweights and heavier.
There is a strong international market for lower weight classes which is populated by Asians and Latinos. As the recent Gonzalez-Viloria match showed, the lightweight boxers are capable of bringing a very entertaining fight.