Mexican Juan Carlos Gallegos aims to redeem himself from a previous loss when he fights Filipino Jason Pagara in the main supporting bout of the Pinoy Pride 6: Grudge Rematch tomorrow at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The main bout features Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista taking on Heriberto “Cuate” Ruiz for the IBF International Featherweight title.
Gallegos, who has a 16-4 (win-loss) record with 10 knockouts, lost to fellow Mexican Ivan Alvarez in Mexico last March 25.
Against the 19-year-old Pagara, Gallegos feels confident of a victory.
“I am going to teach him a lesson,” Gallegos said.
Pagara said he can knock Gallegos down although the Mexican thinks otherwise. “It’s going to be difficult for him to knock me down because I also have power.”
Pagara holds a better record with 26 wins, 15 by knockouts, and only one loss but this will be the first time he will be facing a Mexican opponent.
Cebuano trainer Dodie Boy Penalosa thinks Gallegos is a tough foe after seeing the Mexican do some workout at the Cebu City Sports Center last Wednesday.
BIGGEST IN YEARS
Meanwhile, ALA Boxing Promotions president Michael Aldeguer considers tomorrow’s event as one, if not the biggest Cebu has ever seen.
“For me, this is like the Z Gorres-Vic Darchinyan fight (in 2008),” said Aldeguer during yesterday’s final press conference of the event at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“It is so big because everyone feels the excitement. We really expect a big crowd this Saturday.”
Bautista (30-2 with 23 knockouts) is seeking revenge against Ruiz, who beat him in 2008 in Las Vegas. Ruiz (46-10 with 28 knockouts), on the other hand, looks to score a repeat victory over Bautista.
Chad Canares, head of the marketing and media and press relations of ALA Promotions, said they have already sold more tickets for this fight compared to the Alejandro Barrera-Bautista rematch last January.
“More than half of the total number of tickets have already been sold,” he said. “And we have not yet totaled the running sales today and yesterday.”
In the undercard, Indonesian Benja Loemoli (11-1-7KOs) will face Filipino WBC silver world champion Edrin Dapudong (21-3-12KOs).
Meanwhile, the official weigh-in for the boxers will be held today at the event center of SM City-Cebu at 11 a.m.