Nietes eyes to extend reign; Donaire seeks redemption

MANILA, Philippines – Donnie "Ahas" Nietes seeks to extend his WBO  light flyweight title reign as he clashes with Mexican challenger Gilberto "Parrita" Parra in Pinoy Pride 30 on March 28 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Fresh from a seventh round knockout of Carlos Velarde in Pinoy Pride 29 at the Waterfront in Cebu last year to improve to 34-1-4 (win-loss-draw), Nietes tries to stretch his seven-year reign further as he takes on a dangerous fighter in Parra, who owns a 19-2-0 record, including 17 knockouts.

"Of course, we want a knockout," said the 32-year-old Nietes in Monday's press conference at Gloria Maris in Gateway Mall in Quezon City, in Filipino.

Pinoy Pride 30 will also feature former five-division champion Nonito "The Flash" Donaire, Jr., who is eyeing to bounce back from a harrowing sixth round knockout defeat to Jamaican Nicholas Walters in Carson, California last year.

The first barrier to his road back to redemption is a fight against Brazilian William Prado, who owns a 22-4-1 slate, his first on Philippine soil since knocking out American Raul Martinez in the fourth round six years ago at the Big Dome.

Donaire said the embarrassing loss served as a learning experience for him.

"I learned a valuable lesson from the previous fight, learned the hard way, learned patience is a virtue for my style, learned to listen to my dad, learned to listen to my corner," said Donaire, who was accompanied by his father, Nonito, Sr. during the presser.

"You'll see a much smarter, faster, intelligent, patient Nonito Donaire," he added.

Also featured in the card is "Prince" Albert Pagara, who tackles Mexican Rodolfo "Fofo" Hernandez in an IBF Intercontinental Junior Featherweight bout.

Also on tap are bouts between Japanese Ryo Akaho and Ghanan Prosper Ankrah and Filipino AJ "Bazooka" Banal versus Indonesian Junior Bajawa.

The fight is organized ALA Promotions in partnership with ABS-CBN and Balls.