Donaire knows Prado won’t be an easy foe, vows to ‘rise up again’
Parañaque City— Five-division world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. is not taking Brazilian William Prado lightly.
Especially not after suffering a technical knockout defeat against Nicholas Walters in his previous fight in October of last year for his third loss against 33 wins.
Donaire also knows Prado is well prepared for what the Brazilian believes is his biggest fight so far.
“It’s gonna be a tough fight,” the former WBA super bantamweight champion Donaire said. “I know he’s going to do his best to beat me. But I worked very hard for this fight as well so I am going to give him a tough fight too.”
Donaire and Prado (22-4-0, 15KOs) met face-to-face for the first time during the pre-fight presser at the Solaire Resort and Casino yesterday.
Both will be fighting in the co-main event of the Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The main event will feature two-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (34-1-0, 20 KOs) taking on Mexican Gilberto Parra (19-1-0, 17KOs).
Prado has great respect for Donaire and thinks it will take a huge effort to defeat a great boxer like the Filipino Flash.
NEW LIFE
“This is the biggest fight of my career,” Prado said. “I will fight round-for-round because I will fight a great boxer and this is a very big opportunity for me to win a big fight. I trained for this fight very hard because I know I am fighting a five-division world champion.”
Donaire, on the other hand, vowed to bounce back from his defeat to Walters and promised to become a better fighter once he wins over Prado.
“I look forward to rise up again and become a better fighter. My loss to Walters motivated me to become a better fighter. I was not depressed nor haunted by the loss, it brought me a new life,” Donaire said.
Donaire and Prado will fight for the NABF bantamweight title while Nietes will defend his WBO light flyweight title against Parra.
Nietes, meanwhile, was surprised when Ring Magazine representative Anson Wainright personally handed over the Ring Magazine Lineal title yesterday during the press conference.
Nietes won the lineal title last year when he knocked out Moises Fuentes at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Nietes said he is ready to face Parra.
“We prepared long and hard. We studied his style very well. I am ready to knock him out. I am very motivated also because it’s a great honor to be recognized by Ring Magazine,” Nietes said.
Nietes also bared that he is ready to answer Parra’s signature right straight.
“We are very ready for that. I already know his weaknesses and strengths,” Nietes added.
Nietes and Donaire were inducted into the Elorde Boxing Hall of Fame last Wednesday night at the Manila Hotel.
Also, a must-watch in this Saturday’s fight card will be the showdown between Japanese Ryo Akaho, who recently signed with ALA Boxing Gym, and Ghana’s Prosper Ankhrah for the WBO International Bantamweight title.
Former world title challenger A.J. “Bazooka” Banal will also fight Indonesian Junior Bajawa while Joepher Montano faces Tyson Maher of Australia. Jeson Umbal and Eric Panza will have a showdown also in the undercard while Ralph Lulu and Gerry Patenio will square off in the curtain opener.
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