Donnie Nietes Forces Parra To Wilt After Nine Rounds

Donnie Nietes remains the best junior flyweight in the world. His stance atop the division of little big men was reaffirmed after forcing Gilberto Parra to quit after nine rounds Saturday evening in Quezon City, Philippines. 

The bout had moments of competitiveness and two-way action that weren't expected, but Nietes always found a way to adapt. The early rounds saw the local favorite in the role of aggressor, although Parra - a fireplug challenger from Mexico - refused to show signs of resistance, even in the wake of absorbing punishment.

As the fight threatened to flow in one direction, Parra came alive in the middle round. The diminutive sluggers traded power shots on the inside, though Nietes would ultimately get the better of the action. 

The tide shifted back in Nietes' favor for good in round seven, expanding on his lead with the bout's lone knockdown one round later. A classic one-two combination put Parra on his backside in round eight, although the determined challenger managed to rise to his feet and soldier onward.

Action in round nine left Parra on borrowed a time. A gruesome cut opened over his eye came as the result of a right hand shot from Nietes, a wound that would undoubtedly garner serious attention in the corner at rounds end.

Between the cut and nine rounds of punishment, the command decision was made to not allow Parra (19-3, 17KOs) to come out for the 10th round. The night ended on his stool, suffering his first career stoppage loss also in his first fight both for a title and outside of his native Mexico.

As for Nietes, it was a different means of travel to get to victory, but the same result in the end. The 32-year old fighting pride of the Philippines is now 35-1-4 (21KOs), making the 6th defense of his alphabet 108 lb. title, following a lengthy stay as a strawweight titlist. 

With the win, Nietes remains unbeaten in his last 27 starts and continues to put distance between himself and the rest of the pack. A showdown with recently crowned titlist Pedro Guevara - who makes his first defense in two weeks - would crown a true king in the 108 lb. division. For now, the boxing world is content with Nietes as the de facto leader. 

Also on the show, Nonito Donaire returned to the 122 lb. division - and to the Philippines - with a 2nd round stoppage of William Prado. Donaire previously served as 122 lb. king before conceding his crown to Guillermo Rigondeaux in April '13. The bout was his first in his birth land since 2009.