DONNIE Nietes doesn’t mind getting less of the spotlight this time as he banners Pinoy Pride 30 along with Nonito Donaire Jr. on Saturday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The face of the famed ALA boxing gym is fighting anew in the main event dubbed ‘D-Day’ of the popular boxing series as he takes on challenger Gilberto Parra of Mexico for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight championship.
But the longest-reigning Filipino world champion in history will not have centerstage by his lonesome as Donaire, the former five-time world champion, is also fighting in the main undercard of the event presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, as he faces William Prado of Brazil in his highly-anticipated ring comeback.
Nietes though doesn’t mind the divided attention as he even welcomed the opportunity to be in the same card with the ‘Filipino Flash’, who is seeking redemption following a devastating knockout loss to Nicholas Walters of Jamaica last October in their world super-featherweight title match.
“Hindi ko naman iniisip yun (mabawasan attention),” Nietes (34-1-4, 20 KOs) insisted. “Ang sa akin lang, magkasama kami. Nagkasabay kami sa isang card.”
“Lalong gaganahan ako lumaban na makasama ko siya, isang superstar,” the pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental added.
Seven more Filipinos are set to see action in the fight card, including another ALA rising star in Prince Albert Pagara, who is locking horns with Mexico’s Rodolfo Hernandez for the International Boxing Federation Intercontinental junior featherweight title.
A rare all-foreigner bout is in store with Japanese Ryo Akaho colliding against Porsper Ankrah of Ghana for the WBO International Bantamweight belt.
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