By Adrian Stewart Co

Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) International super flyweight champion Donnie Nietes maintained his place in the latest Ring Magazine ranking released on Wednesday, January 12.

The Murcia, Negros Occidental-native Nietes, who is now under the Probellum Boxing Promotions, ranked eighth among super flyweight division fighters following his two matches last year.

The 39-year-old Nietes started 2021 with a unanimous decision victory against Colombian Pablo Carillo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to capture the WBO International super flyweight title.

Nietes, previously the longest reigning Filipino world champion, settled for a controversial draw with Norbelto Jimenez of Dominican Republic last December also in Dubai.

He currently has 43-1-6 win-loss-draw ring record, including 23 victories by way of stoppages.

Nietes is not the only Filipino fighter in Ring Magazine’s top 10 super flyweight boxers as International Boxing Federation (IBF) world champion Jerwin Ancajas is ranked fourth.

The Panabo, Davao del Norte-native Ancajas is set to defend his world championship for the 10th time against unbeaten Argentine challenger Fernando Daniel Martinez in the United States next month.

World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titlist Johnriel Casimero also maintained their ranking as first and second seeded bantamweight fighters, respectively.

Vic Saludar, on the other hand, remained at ninth place in the magazine’s minimumweight division rankings despite losing his world championship against Erick Rosa Pacheco last December.

Also keeping their respective slots are former WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales and reigning WBO international featherweight titlist Mark Magsayo who are No. 9 and No. 4 at 122 and 126 lbs classes./ASC, WDJ