Philippines, 15 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NIETES SECURES PLACE IN HISTORY WITH WIN OVER VELARDE (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com




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.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.