Donnie Nietes retains his WBO light flyweight title and becomes "The longest reigning Filipino champion", breaking the record of the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde in the coming new year. The great Elorde reigned for seven years and three months from 1960 to 1967.

Neites defeated his challenger, Carlos Velarde of Sinaloa, Mexico. The 24 year old Velarde suffered a nasty cut above the left eye. The cut happened in the seventh round. He complained while in the corner during the break; that it was a head-butt that caused the cut.

If the fight will be stopped, the outcome will not be favorable for Velarde, even if it's coming from accidental head-butt. He's clearly behind on the scorecards.

However, Velarde, now dropped to 26-4-1, 14 KO's, decided to pull his own plug and quit after the seventh round. Nietes won via RTD after Round 7.

Neites, now improved to 34-1-4 and 20 wins by way of stoppage, plans to move up in weight (probably in the flyweight division) for his next fight. A division reigned by pound-for-pound fighter Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua.

It’s actually a talent-packed division, wherein Juan Francisco Estrada, Akira Yaegashi, Amnat Ruenroeng, Moruti Mthalene and Brian Viloria were ranked top five contenders according to the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

But after the fight, Aldequer thinks that Nietes is "more comfortable" at 108.

Right now I think he’s more comfortable at 108 so we’ll stick to 108. The plan is really to go to 112” said Aldegeur.

Defending champion Donnie Nietes and his opponent Carlos Velarde made weight at the division 108 pound limit. Nietes hit the scale half pound short at 107.5 pounds, while Velarde tipped in at exactly 108 pounds. The official weigh-in was held at Robinson's Fuete in Cebu City on Friday.

On Saturday night at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Nietes (33-1-4, 19 KO's) has the opportunity to break the record of Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, as the longest reigning Filipino champion.

Undercard weigh-in results:

• Milan “El Metodico” Melindo – 107.5 lbs vs Saul “Baby” Juarez of Mexico – 107 lbs.


• 'Prince' Albert Pagara - 122 lbs. vs Raul Hirales - 122 lbs.


• Francisco Rodriguez - 113 lbs vs Jomar Fajardo who weighed - 112 lbs.


• Merlito Sabillo - 107 lbs vs Faris Nenggo - 107lbs.


• AJ Banal - 124.5 lbs vs Maxsaisai Sithsaithong - 125lbs.


• Mark Magsayo - 126 lbs. vs Moon-Sun Jung 125.5 lbs.


• Polid Banal - 116 lbs. vs Ritchen Rosales - 113.5 lbs.


• Virgel Vitor - 116.5 lbs. vs Jovane Abejero 123.5 lbs.


• Gerard Suico - 111 lbs. vs Fritz Cabilla - 110 lbs.

Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (33-1-4, 19 KO's) has the opportunity to re-write history books, if he will win against Mexican Carlos Velarde on November 15. Nietes-Velarde is the main event of Pinoy Pride 28 edition at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Granted Nietes passes the test Velarde brings inside the squared circle; Neites will become the longest reigning Filipino world champion of all time.

The late great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde currently held this record. He was the longest reigning world junior lightweight champion (seven years and three months) from 1960 to 1967. He defended the crown 10 times.

The 32 year old Neites reigned as world champion from 2007 until now. He first won the minimumweight title in September 2007 and currently the light flyweight champion.

The 24 year old Velarde has a record of 26 wins -- 14 by way of stoppage, three defeats and a draw.

Also in action

• “Prince” Albert Pagara vs. Raul Hirales of Mexico.


• Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo vs. Saul Juarez of Mexico.


• Merlito ‘Tiger’ Sabillo vs. Indonesian Farris Nenggo.


• AJ “Bazooka” Banal vs Thai Maxsaisai Sithsaithong.


• Mark “Magnifico’ Magsayo vs South Korean Moon-Sun Jung.