WATCH: Donnie Nietes ready for fight with ‘knockout artist’ Parra

The RING magazine junior flyweight champion Nietes (34-1-4, 20 knockouts) from Bacolod City, Philippines will face Gilberto Parra (19-2, 17 KOs) on March 28 at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. 

Little is known about Parra, 22, who has yet to fight outside of his home country. His two losses came via decisions against Martin Tecuapetla and Jose Manuel Sanchez, but he is a strong right hand puncher who is unbeaten in his last five fights. 

“Ang kalaban ko magaling siya, knockout artist tsaka mas bata sakin,” said the 32-year-old Nietes, who is the longest-reigning Filipino boxing champion. 

“Pinanood naming ni coach [Edito Villamor] lahat ng laban nya so sa lahat ng ka-sparring ko, pinagaralan ko kung pano ko siya matatalo. Magandang laban to kasi knock-out artist siya tsaka magaling.”

(My opponent is a good fighter, he’s a knockout artist and he is younger than me. My coach and I watched some of his fights to prepare me for the fight. My sparring partners and me studied how I can defeat him. It will be a good fight because he is a knockout artist and a good fighter)

(READ: For Nonito Donaire, father really knows best)

The card, titled Pinoy Pride 30, will also feature 4-division champion Nonito Donaire facing William Prado in a 12-round non-title fight. It’ll be Donaire’s first fight since his sixth-round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters in October, and his first in the Philippines since 2009. 

“Masayang masaya ako dahil makakalaban ko si Nonito so excited talaga ako lumaban this coming March 28,” Nietes says.

(I’m very happy to be fighting alongside Nonito. I’m really excited to fight this coming March 28)

Should Nietes get past Parra, his mandatory challenge against former WBO strawweight titleholder Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (17-2-1, 11 KOs) awaits later this year. – Rappler.com with translations by Jaelle Nevin Reyes