By Ashley Bercasio
Donnie Nietes fell short in his bid to become the Philippines’ lone boxing world champion.
World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka outclassed the 40-year-old Nietes for a lopsided unanimous decision victory on Wednesday, July 13, at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo Japan.
Ioka, seven years younger than Nietes, never experienced any kind of trouble throughout the fight.
Nietes rained punches on Nietes right from the start, forcing the latter to retreat to the ropes.
Things looked even dimmer for the Filipino four-division champion in round 10 after a cut opened near his left eye.
All three judges went in favor of Ioka, 118-110, 120-108 and 117-111.
Nietes was unable to take his second win against the Japanese champion who he first defeated in 2018 via split decision to take the then vacant WBO super flyweight crown.
The Negros Occidental-born Nietes suffered his first loss in eight years and dropped to 43 wins, 2 losses and 6 draws with 23 knockouts.
Ioka, meanwhile, improved his record to 29 wins, 2 losses with 15 knockouts.
Prior to Nietes’ defeat, the Philippines lost all of its world boxing champions following the defeats of Jerwin Ancajas, John Riel Casimero, Nonito Donaire Jr., Rene Cuarto and Mark Magsayo.
