LET’S GET IT ON – Missing the D-Day

By Neil Bravo
For being in the regular list of invited sportswriters by ALA Boxing Promotions in their blockbuster boxing show Pinoy Pride, my sincere thanks to ALA president and CEO Michael Aldeguer and his trusted vice president Dennis Cañete for yet another invitation to cover Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day which headlines two of the country’s most important foghters today–Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes.
In the D-Day card, Nietes, now the longest reigning Pinoy world champion, will again put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight title on the line as he faces Mexican Gilberto Parra in the main event this Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Donnie, whom I have interviewed right after he defeated Carlos Velarde via a seventh round knockout last year at the Waterfront in Cebu, aims to improve his 34-1-4 win-loss-draw ring record against the dangerous Parra, who has a 19-2-0 slate.
Nietes wants to knockout Parra and set himself up for a big fight possibly in the US or Dubai.
D-Day will also have the former five-division world champion “The Filipino Flash” who will make his ring return against William Prado of Brazil in the co-main feature.
Donaire considers the embarrassing sixth round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters of Jamaica in Carson, California in October 2014 as a learning experience and is aching to get back on the winning track.
Donaire has since admitted learning his lessons after the loss to Walters. “I learned a valuable lesson from the previous fight, learned the hard way, learned patience is a virtue for my style, learned to listen to my dad, learned to listen to my corner.”
He considers the fight against Prado as a gauge whether or not to continue fighting or hang up his gloves for good.
Nonito sure wants to know if he still has the urge and the power to go with it.
Another bright spot in this boxing card is Albert Pagara, who will face Rodolfo Hernandez for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental junior featherweight crown. Pagara is considerd as the next best thing in Philippine boxing.
AJ Banal, still trying to make his way back to the elite circle, also sees action in this card against John Bajawa of Indonesia.
I must say D-Day is one of the biggest cards of ALA ever and should be a big hit at the SMART Araneta Center where the highest-priced ticket is at P15,000 and could go higher than that on fight night.
However, I have another personal D-Day on Saturday as my daughter Jill marches for her college graduation and I need to pass up on PP30. Nevertheless, Charles Maxey will be bringing the action close to us as he takes my place for Edge Davao.
Again, thanks boss Mike and Dennis. Cheers to ALA and Philippine boxing!
Notes: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” at 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8 am to 10 am. You may write the author at bravoneil@rocketmail.com.