CEBU ? WBO and RING light flyweight world champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes of the Philippines secured his place in history with a 7th round TKO win over Carlos 'Chapito' Velarde of Mexico Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino.
Nietes, 32, from Murcia, Negros Negros Occidental, retained his titles with the dominant win but more importantly, he is now set to surpass the record of Filipino boxing legend Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde as the longest reigning world champion in the Philippines. 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 light flyweight title on Oct. 8, 2011, will break Elorde's record on the eve of New Year's day.
Nietes now carries an impressive resume of 34 wins, 1 loss and 4 draws with 20 knockouts. He defeated seven opponents who were former or future world champions. He successfully defended his WBO minimumweight title four times and his WBO light flyweight title five times. Along the way, he successfully defended his title three times inside enemy territory in Mexico and has now defeated all ten of his Mexican opponents. His only loss was against Anky Angkota of Indonesia in a questionable split decision verdict where Angkota came in 6 lbs over the weight limit at Angkota's backyard in Jakarta on Sep. 28, 2004.
PHOTOS BY DONG SECUYA.
Nietes, nicknamed 'Ahas' (snake) enters the Waterfront arena with carrying his python.
The singing of the national anthems.
Ring announcer Rico Navarro (R) introduces the honored personalities for the night (L-R): ABS-CBN's Peter Musngi and Dino Laurena, Casino Filipino's Bong Yap, Cebu City mayor Mike Rama, ALA Promotions' Michael Aldeguer and WBO's Leon Panoncillo Jr.
Top of the ring action with Nietes getting the upperhand over Velarde.
WBO's Panoncillo puts the championship belt on Nietes as Team Nietes celebrates.
A confetti came down to the ring as Referee Robert Byrd raises the hand of Nietes.
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