NIETES VS FUENTES: A CLASSIC DRAW
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 03 Mar 2013
CEBU CITY - It was the see-saw tactical battle everyone expected. The two champions started their fight probing and feinting. Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes, the defending WBO light flyweight champion, landed with his overhand rights and right hooks. Moises Fuentes, the challenger from Mexico and WBO minimumweight champion, came out firing with hooks and crosses in the second round, with Nietes landing in the final minute of the round.
In the third, Nietes landed his counters but Fuentes began to target Nietes' midsection and continued his body assault in the 4th. Nietes exhibited his excellent ability to slip punches and lateral movement and once again scored with his right hand with increasing regularity sending the crowd into a frenzy.
But in the 6th, Fuentes showed his resiliency and heart and inflicted cuts on both of the Filipino's eyebrows. One cut was due to a punch, the other, ruled by Referee Jack Reiss as inflicted by an accidental clash of heads.
A bleeding Nietes initiated a tactical retreat in the 7th and 8th, with Fuentes continuing his pressure. The crowd grew restless with the Mexican having more pop in his punches. The give and take battle continued in the 9th and 10th rounds.
With most of the rounds difficult to score, the last two rounds became life and death for both fighters. Nietes regained the spring in his step just in time, and landed scoring blows while avoiding Fuentes' charge with lateral movement. The crowd inside the Pacific Ballroom of the waterfront Hotel cheered and willed Nietes to fight before the final round where his hit and run tactics enabled him to score the much needed points.
The final bell brought the crowd to their feet with a collective applause. The three judges scorecards read ? Atty. Danrex Tapdasan ? 115-113 for Nietes while Adelaide Byrd - 114-114 and Pat Rusell - 114-114. All three scored the last two rounds for the Filipino enabling Nietes to retain his title.
POSTSCRIPT:
Fans and sportswriters at ringside were almost unanimous in saying that this was a close fight. This writer scored it 114-114. I also had the last two rounds for Nietes.
I took a quick poll from six boxing pundits ? two agreed with Judge Tapdasan's score of 115-113, two had Fuentes winning, one totally agreed with the draw, another had it a draw leaning towards Nietes.
The difference of opinions underscored the intense struggle between two proud champions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025