NIETES-FUENTES REMATCH ELEVATED TO RING LINEAL JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT TITLE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 07 May 2014
CEBU CITY -- The WBO light flyweight title fight between defending champion Donnie Nietes of the Philippines and mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes of Mexico this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila has gained added significance when the Ring Magazine has elevated the bout to vie for the Ring Junior Flyweight Lineal Belt.
In a note from its latest ratings update, Ring stated that the "Ratings Panel has OK?d this bout to be for THE RING?s vacant junior flyweight title."
Nietes is rated No. 1 and Fuentes No. 3 by Ring. The Ring light flyweight title became vacant when then lineal champion Giovanni Segura of Mexico moved up in weight on September 19, 2011.
With this development, Nietes attempts to become the 4th Filipino boxer to win a lineal title in the present crop of Filipino pugilists following the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao (Featherweight, Nov. 15, 2003; Super Featherweight, March 15, 2008; and Junior Welterweight, May 2, 2009), Nonito Donaire Jr (Junior Featherweight, Oct. 13, 2012) and Sonny Boy Jaro (Flyweight, March 2, 2012).
Filipino boxers who previously won lineal titles were Francisco Guilledo (Pancho Villa), Dado Marino, Flash Elorde, Ben Villaflor, Erbito Salavarria and Frank Cedeno.
Additionally, Nietes is in hot pursuit to break the long standing record of Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino title holder. Elorde reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven years and three months from March 16, 1960 to June 15, 1967. Nietes, who won the WBO minimumweight title on Sep. 30, 2007 and then the WBO junior flyweight title on Oct. 8, 2011, will be eight months shy of Elorde's record if he successfully defends his title against Fuentes this Saturday.
Nietes and Fuentes battled to a majority draw during their first encounter on March 2, 2013 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 11 Nov 2025HIGHLAND BOXING PROMOTIONS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON JEFF MAYWEATHER'S POSTPONED THAILAND VISIT
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Finishes 9th in World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa and the Art of Playing Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Island Time: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown Set For January 31 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Tue, 11 Nov 2025Kyle Lowry becomes the 12th player with 20 seasons or more in the NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Donaire awaits WBA decision
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 10 Nov 2025Joel “lethal” Lewis inks Managerial deal with Dragon Fire Boxing
Mon, 10 Nov 2025Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 10 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025