Nietes beats Thai in Dumaguete

WORLD Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight king Donnie Nietes is all set for his title defense next year after brushing off the ring rust last Saturday night with an impressive fifth round knockout over unheralded Thai Danai Meendaeng at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center in Dumaguete City.

Nietes displayed his championship form and outclassed Meendaeng from the get-go. The 30-year-old janitor-turned-boxing star landed a bone-crushing left hook to the body that floored the inexperienced Thai. Referee Ben Necesario reached the 10-count and stopped the fight in the 2:46 mark.

Nietes improved to 31-13 with 17 knockouts, while Meendaeng fell to 0-2.

Nietes, who was on a five-month hiatus before the fight, will have his ring return on Feb. 2 in another installment of the successful “Pinoy Pride” boxing series. He will defend his crown possibly against WBO mini-flyweight champion Moises Fuentes, who is planning on moving up a division higher.

Jimrex Jaca (36-6-3, 20 KOs) scored a unanimous decision victory over tough journeyman Jaypee Ignacio (8-15-2, 2 KOs) in the main supporting bout.

In the undercard, Mark Vincent Bernaldez (8-0, 4 KOs) continued his unbeaten run following a unanimous decision win over JR Mendoza (8-13, 3 KOs); Crispin Parba (4-6, 2 KOs) also won by unanimous decision against debut fighter Lyndon Castillo (0-1); Steven Recaborda (1-2) escaped with a split decision win over newcomer Jonathan Himongala (0-1); and Ian Teves (1-1-1) drew with Jayvee Galea (1-0-2) in the night’s curtain-raiser.