Nietes retains WBO title belt

DONNIE Nietes carved out a unanimous decision win over Mexican Erik Ramirez as he primed himself up as the next boxing superstar from the Philippines.

The Filipino champion knocked Ramirez down four times on his way to retaining his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title.

The three judges had it 115-109, 116-108 and 113-111, all for the 26-year fighter out of the famed ALA boxing stable.

Nietes made known his intention right from the opening round when he battered the Mexican challenger with a barrage of punches, including a big right hand that sent Ramirez down to the canvass.

Although Ramirez weathered the storm, he wasn’t the same again following that knockdown.

The Filipino from Murcia, Bacolod City improved to 24-1 with 14 KOS as he retained his 105-pound belt for the second straight time.

Ramirez fell to 25-6.

“I came here to fight. I clearly lost. Nietes is a great champion, no doubt,” said the Mexican.

Two more solid rights in the fifth and ninth rounds had Ramirez going down again late into the fight.

The Mexican however had his best moment in the final round when he had Nietes in trouble after connecting on a right. But as he pressed the champion, the Filipino countered with his own straight right that wobbled Martinez and put him down on his knees for the last time.