NIETES VS FUENTES: A CLASSIC DRAW
CEBU CITY - It was the see-saw tactical battle everyone
expected. The two champions started their fight probing and feinting. Donnie
'Ahas' Nietes, the defending WBO light flywiegth champion, landed with his
overhand rights and right hooks. Moises Fuentes, the challenger from Mexico and
WBO minimumweight champion, came out firing with hooks and crosses in the
second round, with Nietes landing in the final minute of the round.
In the third, Nietes landed his counters but Fuentes began
to target Nietes' midsection and continued his body assault in the 4th. Nietes
exhibited his excellent ability to slip punches and lateral movement and once
again scored with his right hand with increasing regularity sending the crowd
into a frenzy.
But in the 6th, Fuentes showed his resiliency and heart and
inflicted cuts on both of the Filipino's eyebrows. One cut was due to a punch,
the other, ruled by Referee Jack Reiss as inflicted by an accidental clash of
heads.
A bleeding Nietes initiated a tactical retreat in the 7th and
8th, with Fuentes continuing his pressure. The crowd grew restless with the
Mexican having more pop in his punches. The give and take battle continued in
the 9th and 10th rounds.
With most of the rounds difficult to score, the last two
rounds became life and death for both fighters. Nietes regained the spring in
his step just in time, and landed scoring blows while avoiding Fuentes' charge
with lateral movement. The crowd inside the Pacific Ballroom of the waterfront
Hotel cheered and willed Nietes to fight before the final round where his hit
and run tactics enabled him to score the much needed points.
The final bell brought the crowd to their feet with a
collective applause. The three judges scorecards read – Atty. Danrex Tapdasan –
115-113 for Nietes while Adelaide Byrd - 114-114 and Pat Rusell - 114-114. All
three scored the last two rounds for the Filipino enabling Nietes to retain his
title.
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