Brilliant Nietes stops Fuentes

PASAY CITY , Philippines  â€” Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (32-1-1, 20KOs) proved he's one of the greatest world champions the country has ever produced.

In what is probably the most impressive win of his career, the ALA Boxing Gym star from Murcia, Negros Occidental dished out a sensational ninth round stoppage of his Mexican rival Moises ‘Moi’ Fuentes (19-2-1, 18KOs) in the main event of "Pinoy Pride XXV:Rematch for Glory" the other night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena here.

Aside from keeping his WBO light flyweight title and grabbing the prestigious Ring Magazine Lineal championship belt, Nietes also answered many questions about his legacy and moved closer to surpass the record of the late ring legend Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion. He is just eight months shy from smashing that all-time mark.

It was a fight to remember as the two combatants lived up to their promise of an all-out-war just like what happened during their first fight last year.

In sharp contrast to the majority draw during their first meeting last year, the outcome was different as the 31-year-old Nietes came out to be the stronger and faster fighter this time.

Nietes threw crisp jabs and displayed smooth lateral movements to dictate the pace of the bout although the Mexican at times tried to put pressure on the Filipino champ with his strong body shots.

However, Nietes' excellent counter-punching skills spelled big difference as he connected sharp uppercuts and straight punches that rocked Fuentes on several occasion.

Nietes made a crucial run in round seven. At that time, Fuentes' face started to swell due to his heavy absorption of Nietes' punches.

The brightest moment for Nietes came in round nine when he let loose solid combinations to the head that sent the Mexican down on both knees. He was deducted a point though for hitting Fuentes who was already down on the canvas.

As the match resumed, Nietes kept his relentless assault, landing a crushing right straight that floored Fuentes for the second time.

Fuentes showed big fighting heart as he gamely stood up to continue the fight, but Nietes, smelling blood, swiftly went for the kill, dropping another right straight to the jaw that momentarily separated the Mexican from his senses. In that instance, referee Robert Byrd wisely intervened and waved off the bout at the 2:56 mark of the ninth  round.

“It was really our game plan to slowly beat him up,” said Nietes during the post-fight press conference. “I was just being patient during the fight and waited for the right time to knock him out.”

“Hopefully this (knockout) win will answer issues about me as a boxer and hopefully, I showed to the boxing world my real ability as a fighter,” added Nietes.

For his part, ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer said he was not shocked with how Nietes dismantled Fuentes.

“I am not shocked with how Donnie won in his rematch with Fuentes. We know what Donnie is capable of and tonight he showed the real Donnie Nietes,” said Aldeguer, adding that the win opens a lot of opportunities for Nietes including a unification match or a venture into a higher weight division.

In the supporting bouts, Nietes' ALA Gym comrades also delivered impressive victories against their  respective Mexican opponents.

WBO International flyweight champion Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (31-1, 12KOs) dissected and outpointed Mexican Martil ‘Diablo’ Tecuapetla (11-6, 8KOs), while Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista (35-3, 25KOs) made a successful ring return, pulling off a unanimous decision victory against Sergio ‘El Cuate’ Villanueva (26-4, 13KOs) in his junior lightweight debut.

“I want to show that I am back and I will slowly bring back my career. I am  just happy for this chance to fight again in front of my countrymen,” said Boom Boom. (FREEMAN)