Donnie Nietes Vs. Franciso Rodriguez: Fight Breakdown – Boxing News

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By “The Aficionado” Alan J. Kindred

For several weekends in a row boxing’s lowest weight classes have been providing the best match ups, and this weekend is no different as RSR’s JR. Flyweight World Champion Donnie Nietes, 35-1-4, 21 KO’s defends his crown against RSR #5 contender Francisco Rodriguez JR., 17-2-1, 11 KO’s.

Nietes, who is now 33 years of age, first burst on to the scene in 2007 when he won the vacant WBO 105 lbs. world title against Pornsawan Porpramook. He made four defenses of that title before moving up to capture the WBO 108 lbs. world title from Ramon Garcia Hirales in 2011. This battle against Rodriguez will be his seventh attempt at defending that title. Along the way Nietes has had notorious battles against Moises Fuentes, one where they had a controversial majority draw and a rematch where Nietes decisively knocked Fuentes out.

This two division champion is 11-0-1, 5 KO’s in world title bouts and is hoping this defense against the young, up and coming contender and former champion Rodriguez will bring him to bigger and better things as his career enters the twilight stage. I’m sure he would like nothing more than a chance to win a third world title and get a big money opportunity against Flyweight kingpin Roman Gonzalez.

Rodriguez, who will be 22 years old by fight time, has already fought Roman Gonzalez, getting stopped in the seventh round of a 2013 contest. Having just turned 20, and losing to potential future hall of famer in Gonzalez, Rodriguez took the loss in stride and used it as a learning experience. He hasn’t lost since and has not only won the WBO 105 world title against Merlito Sabillo (while still just 20 years old), but also won the IBF 105 world title in a world championship unification against Katsunari Takayama. After becoming a unified 105 world champion, the young Rodriguez has now set his sights on the JR. Flyweight or 108 lbs. division and is targeting lineal world champion Nietes.

This fight will represent another classic example of youth versus experience, as the young upstart Rodriguez will attempt to use his vibrant youth and enthusiasm to slay the calm, experienced, and skillful Nietes. Many boxing people that I know are picking Nietes to win, and rightfully so, he has been around longer and is more proven. However I believe this same factor, of being around longer, can also be to his detriment, because 33 is nearly ancient in the lower weight classes. Of course that is not to say youth always prevails over experience, but in this case I think Rodriguez has a really good chance of upsetting the applecart here. That said, I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Nietes turned back a valiant challenge from Rodriguez either. Once again American TV not televising this is making hardcore fans sad. For those able to watch it, they will likely be witnessing a good one.

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