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[av_heading heading=’Negrense Nietes bags 3rd world title to join elite club’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday, May 1, 2017
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MANILA – Donnie Nietes became the third Filipino boxer to annex world titles in at least three different divisions – but it proved no easy quest as he struggled to put up a tough stand against gutsy Thai boxer Komgrich Nantapech.
Among Filipino boxers, only Nietes, Manny Pacquiao (with 8), and Nonito Donaire (with 3) have won three or more division titles.
Nietes engaged Nantapech in a rough 12-round battle to come out as the unanimous decision victor and take home the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight belt on Saturday night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The Murcia, Negros Occidental-native Nietes, former holder of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight and light flyweight belts, won the title after getting favorable scores from the judges (117-111, 117-111, 115-113).
Nietes had a strong start and was dominant in the first three rounds with his stiff left jabs that rendered Nantapech’s face red. However, the Thai found his stride in the fourth round and was able to keep in step with the Filipino fighter.
Nietes regained his power in the seventh round as he unloaded multiple combinations but Nantapech refused to budge. The Thai then took advantage of the Filipino boxer slowing down to launch his own attack.
Nantapech continued to put pressure Nietes in the eleventh round but the Filipino fighter had a huge finishing kick in the 12th round with his consecutive right hand shots to seal the victory.
With the win, the 34-year-old Nietes improved his win-loss-draw record to 40-1-4 with 22 knockouts, while Nantapech’s boxing slate dropped to 22-4-0 with 15 stoppage wins./PN
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