By Jake Donovan
Donnie Nietes puts his junior flyweight title—as well as his reputation as the best 108 lb. fighter on the planet—on the line as he embraces the challenge of former strawweight titlist Francisco Rodriguez Jr.
The battle of little big men takes place Saturday evening in Cebu, Philippines. Both fighters made weight on Friday, each coming in right at the 108 lb. divisional limit.
Nietes (35-1-4, 21KOs) has held at least one title every year since 2007, a run spanning two weight classes. The 33-year old Filipino claimed a strawweight belt in Sept. ’07, riding an early knockdown to the finish line in a unanimous decision over then-unbeaten Pornsawan Porpramook in a 12-round war—the only way Porpramook knows how to fight.
Four successful defenses followed for Nietes, mixed in with stay-busy above-weight fights before moving up for good in 2011. A 12-round win over Ramon Garcia in Oct. ’11 netted him the junior flyweight title he still possesses and proudly defends on Saturday.
The signature win among Nietes’ current reign came against a familiar foe, knocking out Moises Fuentes in their rematch last May. The two had fought to a draw 14 months prior, but Nietes dominated the sequel, flooring the rangy Mexican boxer-puncher three times in forcing the stoppage.
All told, Nietes comes in riding a 27-fight unbeaten streak since the lone loss of his career way back in 2004. His most recent win came in March, stopping Gilberto Parra in the 9th round on a show that also included a Philippines homecoming for former four-division champ Nonito Donaire.
Rodriguez Jr. (17-2-1, 11KOs) returns to the Philippines for the second time in his last three starts after having never previously fought outside of The Americas.
The 22-fight year fighting pride of Monterrey, Mexico was well on his way to a career year in 2014, one that included back-to-back title wins. Prior to his showdown with Merlito Sabillo, Rodriguez Jr. was merely just another name on the résumé of unbeaten wunderkind Román Gonzalez, suffering a knockout loss in their Sept. ’13 bout in Nicaragua.
A mere three fights later, Rodriguez was a strawweight titlist, knocking out previously unbeaten Merlito Sabillo in the 10th round of a stunning upset last March at home in Monterrey. His next bout also took place at home, one that would go in the books as 2014 Fight of the Year, outlasting Katsunari Takayama over 12 furious and savage rounds in their unification bout.
In addition to coming out top in the best fight of 2014, Rodriguez Jr. also warranted mention in the Fighter of the Year race. That was, of course, until barely avoiding disaster as he was held to a 10-round draw with Filipino journeyman Jomar Fajardo last November.
The bout was his first fight in Philippines, coming in at a career-heaviest 113 lbs. and looking at his worst as he was fortunate to not take a loss on the night. Rodriguez Jr. fared much better in their rematch just two months later, claiming a 10—round win this past January in Chiapas, Mexico, his last bout to date.
Saturday’s headliner in Cebu will air live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 in Philippines and via same-day tape delay on beIn Sport Español in the United States.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox