Nietes stops Fuentes in ninth

REFEREE Robert Byrd points WBO champion Donnie Nietes (left) to the neutral corner after the Filipino champ floored Mexico’s Moises Fuentes. NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, striking with timing and precision, knocked down Moises Fuentes thrice in the ninth round Saturday night to retain his World Boxing Organization light flyweight crown by technical knockout at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Referee Robert Byrd waived off the 12-round headliner of “Pinoy Pride” with 2 minutes and 56 seconds left in the round after Nietes sent Fuentes down for the third time with another right straight.

Nietes’ 19th stoppage in 33 wins against one loss and four draws was in stark contrast to the scrambling majority draw he scored against Fuentes, now 19-2-1, with 10 KOs, in their first title duel last year in Cebu City.

Faster and stronger following an intensive two-month training program with strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson, Nietes set up Fuentes for the kill by pounding him with a flurry of stinging head and body blows in the seventh round.

Though the 5-foot-6 Fuentes battled back in the eighth, it was clear that the 5-3 Nietes, who crouched low and fired body shots, had figured him out.

After an exchange of blows, the fleet-footed Nietes, who turns 32 on Tuesday, swarmed all over the hapless Mexican.

“Now they (skeptics) can’t say that Nietes is weak and without stamina,” said the pride of Murcia, Bacolod, who was also installed as Ring Magazine’s lineal champion.

Nietes’ triumph extended his unbeaten streak since Sept. 30, 2007 and shoved him closer to the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record seven-year, three-month title reign.

In the chief support, Milan Melindo survived the all-out aggression of Mexican Martin Tecuapetla to prevail by majority decision (116-112, 115-113, 114-114) and keep his WBO international flyweight crown. Melindo climbed to 31-1 with 12 knockouts while Cuapetra slid to 11-6-2 with eight KOs.

Former world-title contender Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, returning to the ring after a one-year retirement, trounced Sergio Villanueva by unanimous decision, 97-93, 96-94, 96-94, in their 130-pound bout.

ALA Promotions president Michel Aldeguer later announced that Nietes will make one or two voluntary title defenses within the year.

Also being considered, Aldeguer said, are Nietes’ possible climb to flyweight and fights with small superstars like Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez, the World Boxing Association light flyweight titlist, and Mexican unified flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada.