Nietes defends WBO light flyweight title by stoppage, closes in on Elorde's record

Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will now surpass Flash Elorde’s long-running record (seven years and three months) as the Filipino with the longest world title reign in boxing. The pride of ALA Boxing Gym stopped challenger Carlos Velarde of Mexico in the main event of Pinoy Pride 28 held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu, late Saturday night.

Nietes pummeled Velarde for seven rounds and forced his corner to stop the bout before the start of the eighth round. One of only two remaining Filipino boxing world champions alongside Manny Pacquiao, Nietes retained his WBO light flyweight title and raised his record to 34 wins against a single loss with 20 wins coming via stoppage. Velarde drops down to 26 wins against four losses and a draw.

After winning the vacant WBO minimumweight title back in September 30, 2007 against Pornsawan Porpramook of Thailand, Nietes held on to the belt for three years. After relinquishing the title and moving up in weight,  he picked up the WBO light flyweight championship against Raul Garcia Hirales in October 8, 2011.

This was his fifth defense of the title with one coming off a draw against Moises Fuentes. Nietes has since settled that score by knocking out the Mexican earlier this year.

In the undercard, Milan Melindo raised his record to 32 wins against a single defeat by defeating Saul Juarez (20-3-0, 11 KOs) via unanimous decision with scores of 116-112, 115-113, 118-111. With the win, Melindo is now the mandatory challenger for the IBF light flyweight title. This belt was vacated by Filipino John Riel Casimero after failing to make weight in his last fight.

Albert Pagara (22-0-0, 15 KOs)kept his undefeated record by beating Raul Hirales (22-4-1, 11 KOs) also via unanimous decision (120, 107, 120-107, 120-107).

Former world title prospect AJ Banal (32-2-1, 22 KOs) won his fourth straight bout via a ten-round decision victory over Maxsaisai Sithsaithong (15-6-0, 4 KOs) of Thailand.

The biggest shock of the night came from the fists of Faris Nenggo (9-6-3, 3 KOs) of Indonesia after he scored a technical knockout win over former WBO minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo (23-2-1, 12 KOs).

It was supposed to be Sabillo’s bounce back fight after losing his undefeated record and his world title in his last fight back in March. However, he was stopped by the Indonesian due to a severe cut on his eyelid.