Pinoy Pride: Gilberto Parra vows to end Donnie Nietes reign
End Donnie Nietes’ domination of Mexican warriors.
That will be Gilberto Parra’s prime motivation when he guns for the Filipino’s World Boxing Organization junior flyweight crown Saturday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We know the history of Nietes with Mexican fighters, and I admire him,” said Parra through team member Diego Adrian Soto Gutierrez during the mini-press conference of ‘Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day’ yesterday at Sequoia Hotel along Mother Ignacia Ave.
“But everything has an ending, and the end will come for Nietes on Saturday.”
Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, totes a 34-1-4 record with 20 KOs, the last two coming at the expense of Mexicans Sammy Gutierrez and Moises Fuentes.
The 32-year-old Nietes also owns the distinction as the only foreigner to successfully defend his title in Mexico three times against Erik Ramirez, Manuel Vargas, and Mario Rodriguez.
However, the hard-hitting Parra (19-2, 17 KOs) is determined to avenge his compatriots and end Nietes’ seven-year reign.
“I don’t like to talk about winning by knockout,” said Parra. “This Saturday, we will take the win.”
Sharing the spotlight was Brazilian William Prado, who battles returning former five-time world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. in the co-headliner.
Prado (22-4-1 with 15 KOs) is also not intimidated by Donaire, the 2012 Fighter of the Year.
“I respect him a lot because of his five world titles. But I’m here to give him a good fight,” said Prado, a 31-year-old native of Sao Paulo.
“I’m here to make a good job at the ring and I’m just thinking about the win. I will fight with my heart.”
It will be the first fight for the 32-year-old Donaire (33-3, 21 KOs) after losing the World Boxing Association super featherweight title by sixth round stoppage to Jamaican Nicholas Walters.
Also present during the presscon were Mexican Rodolfo Hernandez, who’ll tangle with prime prospect Prince Albert Pagara and Ghanaian Prosper Ankrah, who’ll battle Japanese Ryo Akaho.
