FILE–Donnie Nietes of the Philippines (L) fights against Kazuto Ioka of Japan (R) during their WBO super flyweight championship boxing bout in Macau on December 31, 2018. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—The quest for a Filipino boxing champion continues.
Donnie Nietes failed in his bid to become the only current boxing champion from the Philippines, losing badly to Japanese rival Kazuto Ioka in their rematch on Wednesday night at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
Nietes, 40, showed his age while Ioka came out aggressive from the get-go and just kept going throughout the fight en route to a unanimous decision win.
The judges had it 118-110, 120-108 and 117-111 as Ioka (29-2, 15KOs) successfully defended his WBO super flyweight belt for the fifth time.
Nietes (43-2-6, 23KOs), who beat Ioka by split decision in their first encounter in 2018, suffered a cut just above his left eye in the 10th round.
The Negros Occidental native took his first loss since 2004.
RELATED STORIES
Get the hottest sports news straight into your inbox
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Boxing News Click Here
