MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Donnie Nietes knocked down Erik Ramirez of Mexico four times and went on to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight crown in Oaxaca, Mexico yesterday.
Nietes dominated Ramirez early with a flurry of punches, scoring a knockdown in the first round then sending the local fighter to the canvas again thrice – in the fourth, ninth and the 12th rounds.
The three judges scored the bout at 115-109, 116-108 and 113-111, all in favor of the Filipino champion from Murcia, Negros Occidental, according to Juan Carlos Gubi of Boxnoticias.
“I came here to fight but I clearly lost. Nietes is a great champion no doubt and I hope to have another opportunity in the future,” said Ramirez after the fight.
The win firmed up Nietes’ claim as the best minimumweight fighter in the world today as he outshone WBA champion Roman Gonzalez, who settled for a hard-fought majority decision over Mexican Francisco Rosas in the same card.
With the victory, Nietes improved to 24-1-3 with 14 KOs, making him the legitimate star fighter of the ALA Gym.
A big right sent Ramirez crashing to the canvas in the first round. Another solid right downed the Mexican again in the fifth.
Nietes’ right found its mark anew in the ninth round for another knockdown but Ramirez countered with a solid right in the final round.
In a make-or-break bid, Ramirez tried to go for a kill against the Filipino, who unleashed another right that sent the Mexican down for the fourth time.