Donnie Nietes vs. Gilberto Parra: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

On Saturday, the storied Araneta Coliseum—the venue for the "Thrilla in Manila," three Manny Pacquiao bouts and numerous other sporting events in the Philippines—plays host to a boxing card featuring a Filipino boxer looking to build upon a historic streak.

The Philippines' own Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (34-1-4, 20 KOs) puts his WBO World flyweight title on the line against Gilberto "Parrita" Parra (19-2, 17 KOs) for 12 scheduled rounds of action. According to Josef T. Ramos of The Manila Times, Nietes was originally supposed to fight Luis Ceja (26-5-3, 21 KOs), but the latter boxer dropped out for an "unknown reason."

According to a press release from ABS-CPN, Nietes recently made history by "surpassing the late great Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde's record as the longest-reigning Filipino world champion." That's right, not even the magnificent Pacquiao has put together a championship streak quite like the one Nietes has going.

The event, dubbed "Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day" features not one, but two major boxing clashes. In addition to Nietes-Parra, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (33-3, 21 KOs) takes on William Prado (22-4-1, 15 KOs) for the vacant NABF super bantamweight title. 

It has all the makings of a blockbuster event in the Philippines, and it is a card worthy of attention from fight fans across the globe.

Here's a look at the complete fight viewing info, followed by a quick preview of the bout.

Nietes vs. Parra Fight Info

Date: Saturday, March 28

Location: Araneta Coliseum at Quezon City, Manila, Philippines 

Fight Time: 6 p.m. (local time, Manila), 6 a.m. ET

TV: ABS-CBN (Philippines)

Live Stream: TFC.tv (subscription required, region restricted)


Preview

Nietes hasn't lost a bout since 2004, a streak that started well before he picked up his first world title, the WBO World minimumweight title, with a decision win over Pornsawan Porpramook in September 2007.

This bout marks Nietes' fifth defense of the title he took from Ramon Garcia Hirales in October 2011. The 32-year-old may be getting on in years, but that hasn't prevented him from more than looking the part of a world-champion prizefighter.

ABS-CBN Sports recently showed Nietes training for the bout, and he appears as fit as can be:

Parra—who comes to the archipelago with the requisite boxing bravado—could prove to be a very tough challenge for the home-country favorite, as he comes with a bit of extra motivation.

“We know the history of Nietes with Mexican fighters, and I admire him,” said Parra, via the Philippine Daily Inquirer. 

“But everything has an ending, and the end will come for Nietes on Saturday.”

The Philippine Daily Inquirer provided an example of Nietes' record against Parra's countrymen:

"

Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, totes a 34-1-4 record with 20 KOs, the last two coming at the expense of Mexicans Sammy Gutierrez and Moises Fuentes.

The 32-year-old Nietes also owns the distinction as the only foreigner to successfully defend his title in Mexico three times against Erik Ramirez, Manuel Vargas, and Mario Rodriguez.

"

Parra's power is considerable, as evidenced by his 77.27 knockout percentage. Prior to his last bout, a no-contest ruling against Maximino Flores, Parra's last three wins came via technical knockout, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that each of those bouts was scheduled for a mere six rounds, per BoxRec.

Nietes is no softy in the ring—three of his last five bouts have ended with a KO or TKO win—but he may be inclined to step back a bit from Parra and try to draw this bout out. According to BoxRec, this will be Parra's first bout scheduled for 12 rounds.

While the challenger from Sonora, Mexico, has likely prepared himself well for this momentous opportunity, he will be in fairly unfamiliar territory once the rounds start inching up toward double digits. Nietes apparently won't try to end this bout early without a proper chance.

"I don’t force myself to go for a knockout unless I have solid opportunity,” Nietes said, via Ramos.

It appears Nietes is taking a wizened, measured approach to this bout. Parra could very well attack him early and force him to trade blows, but as long as Nietes' defense and movement are up to par, he should be able to withstand an early onslaught and try to do his best work in the later rounds.