NIETES SHOWS MASTER CLASS, RETAINS WBO TITLE

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CEBU CITY ? Donnie ??has? Nietes of the ALA Gym turned back the challenge of Francisco ?Chihuas? Rodriguez of Mexico by unanimous decision to retain his WBO and Ring magazine junior flyweight titles in the main event of PINOY PRIDE XXXI: Battle of the World Champions.

Rodriguez was the aggressor as expected but Nietes unloaded a variety of hook and uppercuts in the opening round that gave the challenger second thoughts. In the second, Rodriguez landed a quick combo but Nietes took it well. They traded hard punches to the body and head in the next three rounds. Rodriguez pressed the action but Nietes was more accurate.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, Nietes picked Rodriguez apart with his counterpunching. Rodriguez was getting predictable but still dangerous when he resumed his attack in the seventh.

In the eighth round, Nietes used lateral movement and surgical counters as Referee Rusell Mora warned Rodriguez for using his elbows. The Mexican's face was turning red from the accumulation of shots. Nietes stepped up his body attack while Rodriguez, sensing he was falling behind, swung for the champion's head.

Nietes connects with a left against Rodriguez.

WBO President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel awards the WBO belt to Donnie Nietes after Nietes successfully retain his title.

Nietes celebrates after being declared the winner by the referee.

In the last three rounds, Rodriguez a former IBF/WBO minimumweight champ, showed his heart and tried to go for knockout but Nietes was an elusive target. In a bloody final round, Rodriguez's nose began to bleed profusely with blood also spurting from his mouth when he breathed. Nietes continued to score and handily won on the cards.

Judges scores ? Robert Hecko ? 119-109, Benoit Roussel- 115-113, Lisa Giampa ? 118-110.

Nietes defended his 108 lb division title for the seventh time and claimed his twelfth Mexican victim. The champion told this writer after the bout that he hurt his right hand in the seventh round.