WBO APPOINTS CELESTINO RUIZ AS REFEREE FOR THE NIETES TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST RAUL ?RAYITO? GARCIA ON MAY 28
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 19 May 2016
The World Boxing Organization has appointed Celestino Ruiz of Chicago as the referee for WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes? title defense against Mexico?s Raul ?Rayito? Garcia in Bacolod City on May 28.
WBO Asia Pacific head Leon Panoncillo informed The Standard that Ruiz who had previously served as third man in the ring when Nietes demolished former WBC Silver champion Sammy Gutierrez in three rounds at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on November 30, 2013.
Ruiz has refereed two, four round bouts this year and came under fire from Ted Sares on boxing.com for the manner in which he handled what Sares described as ?a historical and wonderful fight between Kohei Kono and Koki Kameda? on October 16, 2015.
Sares reported that the bout was ?tainted by the overbearing referee Celestino Ruiz when he hit a new low in the 7th round by threatening to stop the fight if either fighter committed another foul? saying that Ruiz ?may have cemented his inglorious place in the Boxing Hall of Shame with that one.?
However, the WBO clearly has faith in the ability of Ruiz and his appointment hasn?t been questioned either by the Nietes camp or that of challenger Raul ?Rayito? Garcia, the identical twin brother of Ramon Garcia Hirales from whom Nietes won the title in Bacolod City on October 8, 2011.
The judges named by the WBO are veteran Robert Hoyle of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mike Fitzgerald of Wisconsin and Thailand?s Pinit Prayabsab.
The WBO supervisor is veteran referee Genaro ?Gino? Rodriguez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kittipayak is new WBF World heavyweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Spurs Dominate Raptors 121-103
By Reylan Loberternos, Tue, 28 Oct 2025National Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. rules Moonroast chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Oct 2025VISOLI HEADLINES DECEMBER 17 FESTIVE FIGHT NIGHT IN LONDON FEATURING AYTON, BEVAN, MITCHELL AND MORE AS HEDGES COLLIDES WITH ZORRO FOR ENGLISH TITLE – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 28 Oct 2025Filipino Fighters Unite for Pacquiao’s “Thrilla in Manila” 50th Anniversary Celebration
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 28 Oct 2025Manny Pacquiao joins International Boxing Association as Vice President
Tue, 28 Oct 2025“THE BLACK HULK” BILAL SEIDU CHASING CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY IN THUNDERDOME 52 MAIN EVENT REMATCH
Tue, 28 Oct 2025GM Joey remains on top
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Oct 2025Gensan boxers waxed hot
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Spurs Fil-Am Rookie Dylan Harper Sparks Spurs Win Over Nets 118-107
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 27 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 22: JOE FRAZIER AFTER THRILLA
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 27 Oct 2025The Century Man: Jake Pollard and the Art of Losing Well
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 27 Oct 2025Taduran Dominates Balunan to Retain IBF Minimumweight Crown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 26 Oct 2025GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025