Donnie Nietes’ overhand right floored Armando Vasquez and his precise punches allowed him to grab the title from Ramon Garcia last October. Last night in Manila, a combination of both allowed the Negrense world boxing champion to keep his WBO lightflyweight crown in his first title defense against Felipe Salguero of Mexico.

Nietes, himself, was satisfied with his performance admitted that he fought better than he did last October when he grabbed the title from Garcia in the first world title boxing fight held in Bacolod City.

Against Salguero last night at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre, Resorts World, the Negrense champion was able to connect with his punches and hit the Mexixan hard.

“Salguero was a better puncher than Garcia but I was able to score ahead in the early rounds,” Nietes told the DAILY STAR of the unanimous decision, 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112, from the judges that allowed him to retain his championship belt.

”Once again, Donnie Nietes made us all proud as a Negrense. May his victory be a source of inspiration for young boxers in the province,” Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said.

The governor added that the latest victory of Nietes strengthened his belief that it is in boxing where the Filipinos will prevail. He also said that it is a boon to the Negros First boxing program of the province.

Before moving up to the ligh flyweight division, the Murcia-born pug was undefeated and held the WBO minimumweight title for more than three years.

Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson also extended his congratulations to Nietes, saying that the soft-spoken fighter, who was recognized by the city government as a “Dungganon Nga Bacolodnon” awardee is a source of pride for every Bacoleño and Negrense.

Meanwhile, Nietes said that while the ALA Promotions is negotiating for his next fight, he is coming home to Bacolod City and will visit Murcia, to thank those who prayed for his victory and who supported him in every fight.

His successful defense of his light flyweight crown was witnessed by his wife and parents who flew to Manila to cheer him on. Yesterday, the Team Nietes flew back to Cebu where the boxer is based.

Also registering an overwhelming Saturday night during the Pinoy Pride XIV series of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports were Milan “Metodico” Melindo, Genesis “Azukal” Servania, and Bacoleño Arthur “El Matador” Villanueva.

Melindo knocked down three times in the first round Jesus Geles of Colombia with hooks to the ribs, prompting referee Danrex Tapdasan to stop the fight at 2:21 and declare the ALA fighter as the new WBO International flyweight champion.

Servania, on the other hand, had a dramatic 12th round victory against Mexican Genaro “El Poblanito Original” Garcia.

Although Servania delivered stinging blows to Garcia’s body in the early rounds, the Mexican endured the punishment and held on until the 12th round until referee Bruce McTavish halted the fight at 2:02.

Also surviving a bloody eight-round fight was Villanueva, who won by split eight round decision against Jeffrey Cerna.*NAB

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