Pagara must win vs Montoya to make WBO rankings list
ASIDE from seeking revenge against his tormentor Mexican Rosbel “Lobo” Montoya, Cagayan de Oro’s Jason “El Niño” Pagara will also be aiming to break into the rankings of the WBO when both face off this Aug. 18 in the main event of Pinoy Pride XV:Philippines Vs. Mexico: The Rematch at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“I am hoping Pagara will win this rematch because it will not just ease the pain he had a year ago but this is also his chance to be included in the rankings of WBO,” said Pagara’s manager and promoter Michael Aldeguer.
The veteran Mexican Montoya (34-1-4, 29 KOs) handed Pagara his second defeat last year. The Filipino is looking to avenge that loss as he is now in his final stages of training.
ALA Boxing Gym’s trainers Joseph Baldago, brothers Edito and Edmund Villamor said Pagara (28-2,17 KOs) has improved a lot.
“He already sparred more than a hundred rounds against ALA Boxing Gym’s bigger boxers in the welterweight division and he is getting sharper and sharper day by day,” said Baldago during yesterday’s public workout at the SM City Consolacion.
“I am very thankful for this opportunity and I am not letting this fight slip again,” said Pagara. “I will make sure that I will win. If Montoya fights the same way he did last year, then I can knock him out.”
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, Bacolod’s undefeated Genesis Servania (18-0, 6 KOs) is also geared up to face Mexican Jorge Pazos (20-3, 13 KOs) for the WBO Asia Pacific superbantamweight title.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to Aldeguer, the former manager of WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley plans to schedule a fight for Servania abroad in the future.
“He first liked Milan Melindo a lot until he saw Servania fight Genaro Garcia last June.”
Present during yesterday’s public workout were Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca (39-6-3, 19 KOs), who will battle Mexican Angel “Arcangel” Martinez (13-9-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round non-title bout, and Jason’s younger brother Prince Albert, who will be also featured in the undercard. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL
