THE UNDEFEATED 17-year-old Albert Prince Pagara will put his young career to test as he faces battle-scarred journey man Lowie Bantigue in tonight’s ALA-Cobra fight card at the Gaisano Countrymall carpark.
Fresh from a victory over Henry Acha and Tanzanian Shabani Madilu last year, Pagara is slowly following the footsteps of his older brother Jason “El Nino” Pagara, part of the famed ALA Boxing Gym.
Pagara will clash with the 27-year-old Bantigue in a 10-round, non-title bout to spice up today’s celebration of the Sinulog festival.
The country’s No. 7 OPBF contender Bantigue boasts of having won all of his fights in Japan by knockouts. He bested Ippei Aoki in two rounds, Ryuju Ikehara in five and Satory Uchida in one round.
In the undercard, six more professional bouts will also be featured, including the matchup between Welbeth Loberanis of Mandaue City and Jonathan Ricablanca in the 112lbs division.
The undefeated Melvin Gumban will also have a fight against Joash Apericio in the 115lbs division.
Another of ALA Gym’s fast-rising prospect Roma Rate of Mandaue City will fight Rowel Garcia of Koronadal City for six rounds in the 110lbs division.
Mark Vincent Bernaldez will try to stretch his winning streak against the more experienced Royroy Sumugat of Bacolod City in the 122lbs division.
Four-time gold medalist in the national amateur championships Juren Labordo of Negros will fight Taos Basar of Bislig City while Rey Morales will go up against Renante Suacasa of Koronadal City. The bouts kick off at 6 p.m./CORRESPONDENT DALE G.ROSAL