Nietes wins, out to make history

MANILA, Philippines - Before a screaming crowd late Saturday night at the MOA Arena, Donnie Nietes delivered the type of knockout Filipino fight fans want to see.

Then he delivered a strong message that his days as a boxing champion are far from over.

“I’m so happy I knocked him out,” the 31-year-old Filipino said after he stopped Moises Fuentes, a young and game Mexican challenger, in the ninth round.

“People can no longer say that Nietes doesn’t have the stamina and that I’m not that strong anymore. But I thank them because it served as a challenge,” he said in Filipino.

Nietes kept his WBO light-flyweight crown and stayed on course in surpassing the record of the illustrious Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as the longest-reigning Filipino champion.

Mike Aldeguer, president of ALA Promotions and Nietes’ chief benefactor, said they hope to defend the 108 lb crown twice more before thinking of moving up to 112.

If Nietes stays as world champion after Dec. 31, he surpasses Elorde’s long reign as champion for seven years and three months from 1960 to 1967.

Nietes drew wild cheers from the crown when referee Robert Byrd halted the fight in the 2:56 mark of the ninth round after Fuentes, seven years younger, had gone down thrice.

An overhand right to the left side of Fuentes’ head brought the Mexican down on his knees. In his eagerness to finish him off, Nietes threw an extra punch.

The American referee deducted a point on Nietes, giving Fuentes extra time to recover. But there was no stopping Nietes who landed heavier blows to wrap up the win.

“Sobra kasi ang gigil ko kaya nasuntok ko pa siya (I got carried away I threw an extra punch),” said Nietes.

Nietes, who traded solid body shots with Fuentes in the early rounds, was so ecstatic with the win.

After the fight ended, Nietes scrambled to his corner, and jumped into the waiting arms of his handlers – trainers Edito and Edmund Villamor, cutman Ed dela Vega and strength coach Nick Curson.

“Napakita ko ang power ko (I showed my power),” Nietes said.

It was past midnight by the time Nietes left the arena, all smiles and surrounded by his team members.

Fuentes left the arena with a swollen face. But he obliged to have some pictures taken. Then he walked away. Closely behind was Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, who came to support him.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Mexican who vowed to dethrone Nietes and bring the title back to Mexico.

“Over my dead body,” was how Nietes responded to the challenge.

The pride of the ALA boxing stable of Tony and Michael Aldeguer said he saved his energy for the later rounds but admitted he got hurt by Fuentes’ body shots.

“Malakas siya sa body punch. Pero pag tumama siya, counter din ako ng body shot. Nasasaktan din siya (He’s good with his body punch. But I countered with my own and he got hurt, too),” said Nietes.

Also drawing the cheers were ALA stars Milan Melindo and Boom Boom Bautista who defeated their Mexican foes.

Melindo kept his WBO light-flyweight title with a majority decision over Martin Tecuapetla while Bautista, now a super-featherweight, outpointed Sergio Villanueva in his comeback fight.

But the night belonged to Nietes.

Nonito Donaire Jr., the four-time world champion, was at ringside as part of the TV panel, and couldn’t help himself giving instructions to Nietes during breaks.

“It was Donaire who kept suggesting Nietes to try the overhand right,” said ring commentator Ronnie Nathanielzs.

“I waited for the proper timing. By the sixth round, I knew he would go down if I hit him right,” said Nietes.

The former WBO minimum-weight champion said he felt a lot better this time than when he fought Fuentes to a controversial draw in March last year.

Nietes, now 32-1-4 and undefeated for nearly 10 years now, credited his strength and conditioning coach for his new-found strength.

“We knew he couldn’t improve on his skills but we knew he could improve on his stamina,” said Tony Aldeguer.

On the drawing board, according to Michael Aldeguer, are two more defenses of the title. Since last night was a mandatory fight, Nietes’ next one would be a voluntary one.

Also drawing the cheers were ALA stars Milan Melindo and Boom Boom Bautista who defeated their Mexican foes.

Melindo kept his WBO light-flyweight title with a majority decision over Martin Tecuapetla while Bautista, now a super-featherweight, outpointed Sergio Villanueva in his comeback fight.

But the night belonged to Nietes.