Silvestre Abainza got it right

International referee and judge Silvestre Abainza surely knows his boxing. Abainza, 65, is a licensed WBA official with over 100 world title fights in his resume and picked Donnie Nietes to beat Japan’s Kazuto Ioka on points in their battle for the vacant WBO superflyweight crown in Macau last Dec. 31.

Like Abainza predicted, Nietes won a decision over Ioka in what ALA Boxing president Michael Aldeguer said should’ve been a clear unanimous verdict, not split. As it turned out, New Mexico judge Levi Martinez scored it 118-110 and Las Vegas judge Patricia Morse Jarman, 116-112, both for Nietes while Panama judge Samuel Nieto saw it 116-112 for Ioka. The outcome was no surprise but the shocker was Nieto’s tally.

Abainza said it was a close fight but Nietes was the obvious winner. “Ang mga tumama na suntok kay Ioka malalakas,” he said. “Si Ioka, tumama rin pero hindi ganoon kalakas kaya tama ang appreciation ng dalawang judges para kay Nietes. Veteran judges ang mga pumabor kay Nietes.”

Aldeguer said he was surprised the decision was split. “We thought Donnie clearly won,” he said. “Should have been a unanimous decision. Donnie controlled the fight as Ioka had to change his style after he was hit with counters. Donnie wants the biggest fights out there as he believes he can always find a way to win over anyone.”

Nietes, 36, has singled out WBC superflyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand, former WBA/WBO flyweight ruler Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico and former WBA minimumweight, WBA lightflyweight, WBC flyweight and WBC superflyweight titlist Roman (Chocolatito) Gonzalez of Nicaragua as the opponents in his wish list. But he’s mandated to take on the winner of the Jan. 31 eliminator between countryman Aston Palicte and Puerto Rico’s Jose Martinez in his first defense. Palicte, whom Nietes fought to a split draw for the vacant WBO throne at the Forum in Inglewood last September, is ranked No. 2 and Martinez, No. 4. Nietes was formerly the No. 1 contender and Ioka, No. 3.

Abainza said Nietes shouldn’t find it difficult to defeat Rungvisai. “Kayang kaya ni Donnie ang Thailander, huwag lang gagawin sa Thailand, neutral country dapat,” he said. “Si Rungvisai bumabagsak kaya marupok na ang panga niya. Napanood ko ang laban niya (kontra Iran Diaz noong October), bumagsak (sa ninth round) but hindi binilangan ng referee.”

Abainza said he’d rather for Nietes to face Rungvisai than IBF superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas, another Filipino. He said Ancajas could face WBA counterpart Khalid Yafai of England instead. “Malakas ang Yafai, kailangan ni Donnie ay speed,” he said. “Si Ancajas malakas din kung tatama. Magaling gumalaw ang Yafai, si Ancajas nasa harap lang ng kalaban. Sa akin lang, magandang laban Ancajas kontra Yafai at mananalo si Ancajas.”

Another veteran international referee and judge Bruce McTavish hailed Nietes’ victory as a source of national pride. “Nietes is an honor to the Philippines with how he started his career as a janitor in the gym,” he said. “His upcoming fights will be tough.” 

Nietes has now collected four world title belts in four divisions – the WBO minimumweight, WBO lightflyweight, IBF flyweight and WBO superflyweight championships. His record is 42-1-5, with 23 KOs and he hasn’t lost in his last 35 outings since dropping a controversial split decision to Indonesia’s Angky Angkota in Jakarta in 2004. Ioka was Nietes’ first Japanese opponent. Nietes made the cut in 2018 as the eighth reigning Filipino world champion, joining WBA welterweight titleholder Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Ancajas, WBA bantamweight king Nonito Donaire, Jr., WBO minimumweight ruler Vic Saludar, IBO bantamweight champion Michael Dasmarinas, interim WBA featherweight titlist Jhack Tepora and interim WBA bantamweight boss Reymart Gaballo.