Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. does the mitts workout with father Nonito Sr. in a public workout for the upcoming Pinoy Pride 30 slated for March 28 at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila. CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
IF THEIR public workout yesterday was any indication, the co-main event fighters of the upcoming Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day will be having a field day picking their opponents.
Showing dazzling speed and bone-crushing power that left the crowd who packed the ALA Fitness Boxing gym in Banilad Town Center (BTC) mesmerized, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr., proved their readiness to face their respective foreign opponents when the top-drawing boxing series raises its curtains on March 28 at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nietes ((34-1-4, 20KOs), the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, battered sparring partner Virgil Vitor, hitting the latter from different angles with furious combinations, proof that the Murcia town-native is ready to defend his WBO light flyweight title against Mexican knockout artist Gilbert Parra (19-2, 17KOs).
Donaire (33-3, 21KOs), on the other hand, was just as impressive with his lightning-fast hands and signature power shots. Not only that, the five-division world champion and former WBA featherweight king also unveiled superb counter-punching ability against Ryo Akaho (25-1-2, 17KOs) of Japan.
According to Nietes’ trainer Edmund Villamor, his ward is 100 percent ready for Parra.
“We’ve already done all of the needed training. We have completed the training camp and are now focusing on his weight. We are confident that we can get the target weight days before the fight,” said Villamor.
Villamor revealed that Nietes has already sparred for 110 rounds.
“We will see a new Donnie Nietes. One who is more fluid and slippery inside the ring which will create a big problem for Parra who is a brawler.”
Villamor also bared that they have already spotted Parra’s weaknesses and that Nietes will pounce on these on fight night.
Meanwhile, Nonito Sr., was visibly impressed with what he saw during his son’s sparring session. Donaire will face Brazilian William Prado (22-4-1, 15KOs) in the co-main event.
He said Prado is a brawler who loves coming forward and throwing wild punches that’s why their training camp focused on his son’s counter-punching and movement inside the ring.
“Junjun (Donaire Jr.) should not stay in one place,” Nonito Sr. said. “Prado has power so di jud ta mo kumpyansa unya brawler pa jud siya mao nang ako gi remind pirmi si Junjun to avoid getting hit ug dili siya mag standby sa usa ka lugar, kinahanglan naay movement pirmi.”
The elder Donaire also thanked ALA Boxing Gym for helping in his son’s training by providing topnotch sparring partners namely Roli Gasca, Mark Magsayo and Akaho.
Meanwhile, IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight champion “Prince” Albert Pagara was not allowed to spar yesterday as the undefeated fighter was suffering from an eye infection. He did the mitts however, with Villamor.