QUEZON CITY ? Forty years ago the world stood still when two great heavyweights clashed in a fight that the winner described as a near-death experience. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier engaged in the final chapter of their trilogy that engraved the Araneta Coliseum and the Philippines in the annals of sports history.
The 30th edition of PINOY PRIDE aspires to follow in their footsteps. This Saturday, the longest reigning Filipino champion, Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes will try to extend his seven year, five month and three week reign when he faces Gilberto Parra of Mexico.
The WBO jr.flyweight champ Nietes and Parra both made 108 lbs during the official weigh-in held Friday noon at the historic fight venue.
One of the best boxers in Philippine history, multi-division world titlist Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire and Brazil?s William Prado both weighed 122 lbs for their NABF super bantamweight clash.
?Prince? Albert Pagara was at 122 lbs while Mexican Rodolfo Hernandez stepped on the scales at 121 lbs. They will fight for Pagara?s IBF Inter-continental title.
For the WBO International bantamweight title ? Ryo Akaho (Japan) ? 118 lbs while Prosper Ankrah (Ghana) was very light at 113 lbs.
For the rest of the undercards - AJ ?Bazooka? Banal (124lbs) vs Junior Bahawa (122lbs) of Indonesia (8 rounds), Joepher Montano (135) of Bacolod City vs Tyson Maher (134) of Australia (4 rounds), Jeson Umbal (118) vs Eric Panza (118) - 8 rounds and Ralph Lulu (124) vs Gerry Patenio (122) - 4 rounds.
PINOY PRIDE XXX: D-Day is set March 28 and the opening bout starts at 6PM.
Nietes and Parra pose during Friday's weighin.
Donaire and Prado face to face during the weighin.
Albert Pagara and Rodolfo Hernadez during Friday's weighin.
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