Donnie Nietes vs. Moises Fuentes II RBR

Round 8

Nietes is doubling jabs, taking a half-step toward Fuentes, then retreating a few paces and circling. Fuentes is slamming down with the right hand chasing after Nietes, hitting gloves or empty space. Nietes is flash-jabbing into Fuentes' slower jab when it begins to extend, keeping it from ever leaving the runway. Nietes is ducking and skittering around the ring, Fuentes stomping after him, confused and maddened, lunging with hopeless body shots.

10-9 Nietes

80-72 Nietes

 

For a shutout thus far, it has been pretty exciting. Fuentes' dauntless pressure, at least in the first six or so, was enough to add some drama and sense of unpredictability. Now it becomes a question of whether Nietes can stop the hard *******. (assuming his own stamina holds up)

 

Round 9

Fast two-handed whipping body uppercut combo by Nietes! Fuentes down and badly hurt, clutching his gut just above the groin! Uh-oh, nope, Robert Byrd ruled it a low blow. He docks a point from Nietes! Fuentes walks into Nietes, grinding, hoping to stall and get in a few back-slaps. Nietes is pushing off, flitting around tossing jabs at the face and combos into the midsection and uppercuts on the face. Fuentes down again, legitimate now, Byrd counting in his face! Fuentes is up. More flick-jabs while sliding and dragging his feet, and leaping straight right leads by Nietes. Constant motion by Nietes, rapidly circling and hitting Fuentes repeatedly from every direction. Another combo, 1-2 on the jaw, and Fuentes drops, not given a count!

TKO9!!!

 

Really sharp performance by "Ahas". He showed a lot of qualities desirable in a champion. Poise, conditioning, sticking to game-plan. Just everything clicking into place.

Best night of his career, even better than his breakthrough victory over Porpramook years back. (that result was more significant and the opponent more formidable, but it was close and he still had stamina issues whereas this was a whitewash - an offensive and defensive showcase...)

 

It was, yes. Barrera style. :yep

That was unclear in real-time.

So two legitimate knockdowns and the 9th if concluded would have been 9-7 to Nietes...putting his lead at 89-77.

 

Huh. Indonesian television is going to show Arreola vs. Stiverne II later this evening.

Nice bonus for the fans over there...kind of unexpected.

I suppose with there being a world title on the line it does have global implications, but to me that is a relatively low-importance match-up between heavyweights that aren't real contenders (even as weak as the division is) and is rightfully only being shown here on ESPN and not a major network.