Nietes, Donaire impressive in public scrimmage at BTC

CEBU, Philippines — Two weeks before their fights, WBO light flyweight king Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes and former five-division world champion Nonito ‘Filipino Flash’ Donaire impressed their fans in a public sparring held yesterday at the ALA Fitness Gym in Banilad Town Center.

Both boxing superstars looked terrific in their respective sparring sessions which is a part of their preparation for the highly-anticipated ‘Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day’ boxing event on March 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Nietes (34-1, 20KOs), the Philippine’s longest reigning world champion, will try to retain his belt against Mexican knockout artist Gilberto ‘Parrita’ Parra (19-1, 17KOs).

The pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental, looked sharp as he sparred for two rounds against Virgil Vitor. Nietes demonstrated great movement as he easily handled the much younger sparmate for two rounds.

“He is 100% ready and right now we are preparing a game plan for him (Parra),” said ALA trainer Edmund Villamor. “Parra is a tough opponent because he can box and brawl. We will not rush but if Donnie gets a chance, then we will take it (the knockout).”

For his part, Donaire (33-3, 21KOs) also showed that he is now on peak form for his ring comeback against Brazilian William Prado (22-4, 15KOs)

His father and trainer Nonito Sr. was extremely please as his son executed perfectly timed counter punches against Japanese sparmate Ryo Akahu.

“That's what I wanted to see and I’m happy that he is executing it on sparring, I want him to be a counter puncher because this guy (Prado) will go inside and throw wild punches,” said Donaire Sr.

The former ‘Fighter of the Year’ is serious in redeeming himself as he vies for the vacant North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight title. He desires to erase the stigma of defeat after his sixth round knockout loss against Nicholas Walters six months ago in California.

In another featured bout of the slambang card co-presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, ALA super bantamweight prospect ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara (22-0, 15KOs) will once again be tested against Mexican veteran Rodolfo ‘Fofo’ Hernandez (26-5, 24KOs) in a 12 round bout for the IBF Intercontinental crown. (FREEMAN)