Philippines, 13 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WBO clarifies no title eliminator


PhilBoxing.com



Nietes (R) tangles with Jimenez in Dubai.

WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo said yesterday the recent Donnie Nietes-Norbelto Jimenez fight in Dubai was not a superflyweight title eliminator and clarified it was a defense of the Filipino’s international 115-pound crown. The outcome was a split 10-round draw where Hungarian judge Zoltan Enyedi saw it 96-94 for Jimenez, St. Thomas judge Francis Jackson 96-94 for Nietes and Spanish judge Fernando Laguna 95-all. The disparity was so diverse that Nietes received the unanimous nod of the three judges in only two rounds, the first and seventh, while Jimenez only one, the fourth.

There was confusion at the end of the fight as both Nietes and Jimenez thought it was for 12 rounds. Hungarian referee Bence Kovac did not ask the fighters to touch gloves before the bell to start the final stanza. “It was planned as a WBA eliminator, maybe that’s why they thought it was for 12 rounds (but) it didn’t materialize,” said Panoncillo, a Filipino-Hawaiian based in Thailand. “The sanctioning of Donnie’s international defense was a last minute request and it was approved as a 10-round championship defense.” Because it wasn’t a title eliminator, Panoncillo said Nietes is free to engage in a world championship bout if his promoter Probellum can arrange it.

Nietes, who arrived in Cebu from Dubai last Thursday, said he won at least seven rounds over Jimenez whom he described as a dirty fighter. “Payag ako mag-rematch sa Dubai para patunayan ko na ako ang dapat nanalo,” he said. “Groggy siya sa first round at sa eighth round, biglang tumigil siya pagkatapos kong sinuntok sa tiyan at inakap ako. Ilang beses niya akong inipit ng kamay tapos sinuntok ako at tinutulak ang ulo ko pababa. Sa fourth round, tinulak niya ako sa lona tapos diniin niya ang tuhod sa paa ko. Once lang binigyan siya ng warning ng referee for holding. Sa seventh round, tinamaan ko siya sa tiyan tapos nag-complain ng low blow. Hindi naman, sabi ko sa referee pero binigyan siya ng oras para maka-recover.” Jimenez, a Dominican Republic native like Agapito Sanchez who was the dirtiest fighter ever faced by Manny Pacquiao in 2001, even threw a punch from behind his back to throw off Nietes in the sixth round.

“’Di ako napagod,” said Nietes. “Malaki siya at mahaba pero no problem. Kulang ako sa pressure at ‘yan ang pagaaralan kong gawin sa next fight. Kung maayos ng promoter ko na world title fight ang susunod, handa ako. ‘Di ako kontento sa tabla, dapat akong nanalo.” Since it wasn’t a title eliminator, Nietes said he’s ready to take on super WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada or regular WBA ruler Joshua Franco or WBO king Kazuto Iota or even Filipino IBF king Jerwin Ancajas. He’s just looking for a shot at a world title.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Xander Zayas & Abass Baraou Face Off Ahead of January 31 Title Unification Showdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • Historic Turnout at the 1st Tigerhead Rapid Open Chess Tournament in Laos
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • The Hammer Returns to the Fray With a Bang
    By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Monzón and Coggi are new Argentina Boxing Hall of Fame members
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • GM Antonio moves to 2nd in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Teflon Promotion to host Re:Play Volume 1 on November 22nd at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center
    , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 NOVEMBER 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • FLORES AND CORDINA PREDICT KO NIGHT IN STOCKTON
    , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Lightweight Prospect Charley Leigh Brown Added To Hunter Vs Frankham Card 5th December
    , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Mavericks' Cooper Flagg becomes the second 18-year-old player to score 25 points
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Sit back and enjoy, "Bata' Reyes book is out
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • 'THE RING: UNFINISHED BUSINESS': CHRIS EUBANK JR-CONOR BENN II FIGHT WEEK LAUNCHES WITH INTENSE LONDON FACE-OFF
    , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • OKC Thunder Quickly Grabs League Lead; Competition Performing Per Formchart
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Reyes rules 17th edition of Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • HIGHLAND BOXING PROMOTIONS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON JEFF MAYWEATHER'S POSTPONED THAILAND VISIT
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Robert Racasa Finishes 9th in World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa and the Art of Playing Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Island 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 2025
  • Kyle Lowry becomes the 12th player with 20 seasons or more in the NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Donaire awaits WBA decision
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 10 Nov 2025
  • Joel “lethal” Lewis inks Managerial deal with Dragon Fire Boxing
    , Mon, 10 Nov 2025
  • Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 10 Nov 2025
  • NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.