Donnie Nietes Set To Fight Norbelto Jimenez in WBA-115 Eliminator Dec 11 in Dubai
In less than a month, Filipino 4-division world champion Donnie Nietes (43-1-5, 23 KO's) will be entering the ring for his upcoming crucial battle against WBA world-ranked Dominican Republic 115-pounder Norbelto "Meneito" Jimenez (30-9-5, 16 KO's) on Saturday, December 11, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The info was revealed today by Nietes' promoter company, Probellum, the boxing promotion and media company guided by Richard Schaefer, former Golden Boy Promotions CEO.
The clash could not be more important for the pro boxing careers of veteran master-tactician Nietes, 39, as well as for the younger, former 2-time world title challenger Jiménez as their 12-rounder battle is a WBA super flyweight eliminator; the winner becoming mandatory challenger to one of the WBA super flyweight world titles.
Those WBA 115-lbs world marbles currently belong to super popular Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada of Sonora, Mexico (WBA 115 super champion), and by Mexican-American Joshua "El Professor" Franco of San Antonio, Texas (WBA 115 regular flyweight champion).
There is no shortage of thrilling talent at super flyweight, that the winner could face Thai slugger Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43 KO's), Nicaraguan superstar Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KO’s), Filipino “Pretty Boy” Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KO’s), and Japanese multi-division champion Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KO’s).
Nietes, one of the most successful and accomplished Filipino boxers in modern history, will be returning to Dubai after outclassing Colombian Pablo "El Trencito" Carrillo (26-8-1, 17 KO's) last April at the plush Caesar's Palace Dubai.
Meanwhile, Jimenez, 30, currently ranked by the WBA as the #4 super flyweight in world, has been the 115-pound national champion of his Caribbean country. He fought former British world champion Khalid Yafai (26-1, 15 KO's), losing by points.
What’s more, some years ago the Dominican fighter scored a draw against then world champion Kohei Kono in Tokyo, not an easy thing at the time. In addition, Jimenez is also returning to Dubai – the thrilling capital of the United Arab Emirates – where he waged a hard-fought draw against unbeaten world-ranked Nigerian warrior Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (15-0-1, 8 KO's).
Jimenez' last combat was a year ago, a win by points over Nicaraguan Marvin Solano (24-7, 8 KO’s) in Santo Domingo.
