PINOY PRIDE XXX: NIETES AIMS TO EXTEND HIS REIGN
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Mar 2015
CEBU CITY ? Two great champions in one historic venue. The longest reigning Filipino world champ, Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes, is set for the sixth defense of his WBO light flyweight crown against Gilberto Parra of Mexico in the main event of the 30th offering of the very popular boxing series PINOY PRIDE on March 28.
Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire, one the pillars of the current Golden Age of Philippine Boxing, will make his fourth appearance on local shores against Brazilian William Prado. Both have made spectacular performances at the Araneta Coliseum. In 2009, Donaire scored four knockdowns against challenger Raul Martinez of Texas to retain his IBF world flyweight title. Two years ago, Nietes stopped Mexican challenger Sammy Gutierrez in three brutal rounds.
Donaire?s other fights in Metro Manila happened early in his career against Noel Alma (TKO2 2002) and Mark Sales (UD8 2002). The Araneta Coliseum is famous for historic ring battles e.g., Flash Elorde vs Harold Gomes (world junior lightweight title 1960), Ali-Frazier III (Thrilla in Manila 1975), Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar Larios (2006).
Nietes (34-1-4,20KO?s) has lorded over the 105 and 108 lb divisions in succession and surpassed the 7 year 3 month barrier set by the great Flash Elorde when the clock signaled the start of 2015. His opponent, Parra (19-2,17KO?s) has a high KO percentage but yet to fight outside of Mexico. He held the WBA Fedelatin light flyweight title two years ago but lost in his first defense to Martin Tecuapetla by unanimous decision. This is the same Tecuapetla who lost to Milan Melindo by majority decision last year at the MOA arena.
Nietes will also be facing another hurdle in July, mandatory challenger and former unified minimumweight champ Francisco Rodriguez of Mexico. It seems Nietes will be fighting at 108lbs for the next few months but he is looking forward to winning a third title at 112 lbs.
?I?m just waiting for their signal to move up,? Nietes told this writer during the press conference held Tuesday at the Rajah Park Hotel.
Donaire (33-3,21KO?s) is currently training and sparring in the ALA Gym under the tutelageof his father, Nonito,Sr . One of his sparmates is the unbeaten ?Prince? Albert Pagara (22-0,15KO?s). Donaire praised Pagara during the press conference and said that the 21 year old has a very bright future ahead of him. Donaire?s fight against Prado will be for the vacant NABF super bantamweight title.
Pagara, who will appear on the undercard to defend his IBF Inter-continental 122lb division title against Mexican Rodolfo Hernandez (26-5-1,24KO?s), told this writer that sparring with Donaire has been a great learning experience for him. ?He is really strong,?
Pagara said, ?He has power in both hands.? Pagara also said that he has seen a video of Hernandez? fight and he expects a tough battle. Hernandez once held regional Continental Americas and NABO belts.
Completing the cast of PINOY PRIDE XXX: D-DAY are two foreign boxers who will fight for the WBO International bantamweight title ? Ryo Akaho of Japan and Prosper Ankrah of Ghana, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal will be pitted against Junior Bahawa of Indonesia (8 rounds), Joepher Montano of Bacolod City vs Tyson Maher of Australia (4 rounds), Jeson Umbal vs Eric Panza (8 rounds) and Ralph Lulu vs Gerry Patenio (4 rounds).
Photo (L-R) Albert Pagara, Donnie Nietes and Nonito Donaire Jr pose during Tuesday's press conference at the Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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