Donnie Nietes DEFEATS Carlos Velarde
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WBO junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes (34-1-4, 20 KOs) punished Carlos “Chapito” Velarde (26-4-1, 14 KOs) for seven rounds to retain his title on Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines. Velarde’s corner saved their man from a further beating by keeping him on the stool after seven. The two-division world champion Nietes, who has reigned since September 2007 and will surpass Filipino legend Flash Elorde’s seven year/three month championship run in January, is now considering a move to the flyweight division.
In other action, jr flyweight Milan Melindo (32-1, 12 KOs) outpointed Saul Juarez (20-4, 11 KOs) over twelve rounds in an IBF elimination bout. Scores were 116-112, 115-113, 118-111.
WBO/IBF strawweight champion Francisco Rodriguez Jr (16-2-1, 11 KOs) and Jomar Fajardo (14-5-2, 7 KOs) battled to a draw in a non-title flyweight ten rounder. Scores were 98-92 Rodriguez, 96-94 Fajardo, 95-95.
Unbeaten jr featherweight Albert Pagara (22-0, 15 KOs) dropped Raul Hirales (22-4-1, 11 KOs) in round three and cruised to a twelve round 120-107, 120-107, 119-108 win.
In an upset, former WBO strawweight champion Merlito Sabillo (23-2-1, 12 KOs) was stopped in round four by journeyman Faris Nenggo (9-6-3, 3 KOs).
Featherweight AJ Banal (32-2-1, 22 KOs) outpointed Maxsaisai Sithsaithong (15-6, 4 KOs) over ten.