Donnie Nietes vs Pablo Carrillo Preview April 3rd, 2021
Four division world champion Donnie Nietes of the Philippines returns to the ring for the first time since New Year’s Eve, 2018 when he takes on Pablo Carrillo of Colombia this Saturday, April 3rd in Dubai. The fight is for the vacant WBO International Super Flyweight Title and can be seen in America on ESPN+ and in other nations on the iFL You Tube channel as part of the Jamel Herring vs Carl Frampton undercard. Nietes last outing resulted in a 12-round split decision over Kazuto Ioka for the vacant WBO World Title while Carrillo last fought in August, 2019 and stopped Luis Golindano after five rounds for the WBA Fedebol Super Flyweight Crown. Nietes enters the bout on a 35-fight unbeaten streak and hasn’t lost since 2004. He was also a former Flyweight, Light Flyweight and Minimumweight Champion earlier in his career.
Nietes vs Carrillo Betting Odds
Here are the winner odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
My Pick
The 38-year-old Nietes has won titles in four weight divisions as a pro and has been beaten just once in his career. He will climb into the ring with an impressive record of 42-1-5 with 23 Kos. His lone defeat came at the hands of Angky Angkotta by way of a 10-round split decision back in 2004. He’s also fought draws with Aston Palicte, Moises Fuentes, Greg Mangan, Carlo Besares and Nino Suelo over the years.
Nietes turned pro in 2003 and has fought 358 rounds since. He stands 5-feet-3-inches tall and has a reach of 65.5 inches. He’s also got decent power for a small man as his current knockout ratio stands at 47.9 per cent. His biggest wins have been against Ioka, Juan Carlos Reveco, Edgar Sosa, Raul Garcia, Carlos Velarde, Manuel Vargas and Erik Ramirez. Nietes was also the WBO Minimumweight Champion from September of 2007 to August, 2010 and defended it four times. He then defended his Light Flyweight Title nine times over a five-year span.
Nietes had basically had a hall of fame career, but outside of the Philippines he isn’t really well known and only started fighting in the US later in his career. His record in world title fights is 17-0-2 with 7 Kos and he’s gone 9-0-1 with 3 Kos against former, current, and future world champions. He hasn’t fought much on the road, but outside of his homeland he’s gone 9-1-1 with 3 Kos.
The former champ has also won some minor and regional titles as a pro including the Philippines Boxing Federation Light Flyweight Title, the WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight Title and the WBO Inter-Continental Flyweight Title. He is one of just four Asian boxers to win world championships in four or more weight divisions and one of just three Filipino boxers to achieve the feat along with Nonito Donaire and Manny Paquiao. Also, his 14 title defences is a record for a Filipino.
There’s no doubt Nietes is nearing the end of his career as he’ll turn 39 years old in May. He hasn’t been as dominant as usual in his last couple of fights as he drew with Palicte and took a split decision over Ioka. He’s hoping to land a big title shot against IBF champ and fellow Filipino Jerwin Ancajas or against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, WBA/WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada, WBO champ Ioka or Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
As for Carrillo, he’s reportedly 32 years old and carries a record of 25-7-1 with him with 16 Kos and he’s lost three of his last seven bouts. He made his pro debut in 2010 and has 175 rounds of experience under his belt. Carrillo is listed at being just over 5-feet tall but has an unlisted reach, so we know he’s giving up three inches in height to Nietes.
Carrillo is comparable to Nietes when it comes to power with a current knockout ratio of 48.5 per cent. He’s also pretty durable with a decent chin as he’s been stopped just once in his pro career and that came at the hands of Francisco Rodriguez Jr in the fourth round in 2018. He’s ranked number eight in the world by the WBA and won the vacant Colombian Flyweight Title back in 2013.
The decision losses on Carrillo’s record came to Luis Concepcion twice in 2012, to Kazuto Ioka in 2014, to Anuar Salas in 2014, to Ronald Ramos in 2017 and to Jose Soto in 2018. His biggest wins have been against the likes of Ronald Barrera, Luis Guerrero and Jose Jiminez with his lone draw bring a 10-round affair with Luis Carlos Leon in 2011.
Prediction…
Just 17 of Carrillo’s previous 33 opponents have had winning records and he was beaten by seven of them so he obviously struggles when stepping up in class and he’ll be facing a future Hall of Famer on Satrurday. Nietes has been out of the ring for almost two-and-a-half years though, but considering his skills and experience he should be able to get past Carrillo.
Niete’s experience should pull him through.
Play Nietes -1200 @ BetOnline.ag
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Donnie Nietes betting • Pablo Carrillo betting