Pagara eyes revenge in PP XV main event

When Jason “El Nino” Pagara lost his WBO Asia Pacific Youth Light Welterweight belt to Mexican Rosbel “Lobo” Montoya last September, local boxing virtually reeled in shock.

That painful loss halted Pagara’s 15-match win streak and jeopardized his reputation as the country’s next world champion.

And although Montoya’s record of 34-1-4 (win-loss-draw) with 29 knockouts is more than enough to send chills to the fighter on the other side of the ring, Pagara maintains there’s more than meets the eye on that fateful Sept. 10 loss.

“I had a lot of personal problems back then. But I am going to have my revenge and this time I assure everyone that I will win,” Pagara declared.

And that revenge will come in the main event of ALA Boxing Promotions’ “Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico: The Rematch” on Aug. 19 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“He is still young at 21 and this kid deserves a chance at redeeming himself. He asked for a rematch so I think he is more focused now and has already resolved his personal problems,” said ALA Boxing Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer during the event’s launching yesterday at the City Sports Club.

Pagara is fresh from a second round TKO win over Indonesian Franz Yarangga in Tagbilaran, Bohol to improve his record to 28-2 with 17 knock-outs.

Montoya on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from his sixth round knockout loss to Argentinian Claudio Alfredo Olmedo for the WBO interim Latino light welterweight title.

CO-MAIN EVENT

Meanwhile, Bacolod’s future world champion, the undefeated WBC International Silver superbantamweight ruler Genesis “Azukal” Servania (18-0, 6KOs) will take on another Mexican Jorge “El Feroz” Pazos (20-3,13KOs) for the WBO Asia Pacific Superbantamweight title in the co-main event.

Servania has already beaten three world title contenders including Mexican Gerson Guerrero, African Nick Otieno and just recently Mexican Genaro Garcia.

“I have not seen the fight videos of Pazos but I am not afraid of him because I will be training hard for this fight,” said Servania.

Meanwhile, the country’s prodigal son of boxing, Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca (39-6-3, 19KOs) will go up against Mexican Angel “Arcangel” Martinez (13-9-1, 9KOs) in an eight-round non-title bout. Jaca rejoined ALA Boxing Promotions last May to redeem his career. In his last bout last year, he beat Philip Demecillo via third round TKO.

Fighting in the undercard, are Pagara’s younger brother Prince Albert who will fight Malaybalay Bukidnon’s Alvin Makiling; Mark Vincent Bernaldez vs. Joash Apericio; Juren Labordo vs. Powell Balaba; Jojo Intor vs. Peter Aldrin and JP Artieda vs. Hector Rojoca.