ALA pug Pagara stops Thai foe in 2 rounds

MAASIN CITY—“Prince” Albert Pagara of the ALA Gym put his fearsome knockout power on full display Thursday, knocking out Thailand’s Tawanrung Eausampan in the second round of the Maasin Pride IV main event at the Maasin City Gym.

Eausampan got up albeit on wobbly legs and bleeding from the right eye after absorbing a sharp uppercut from the unbeaten Pagara, prompting Referee Tony Pesons to stop the contest.

Seconds after the fight ended, the Thai had difficulty opening and closing his mouth and was advised to go to the hospital for a possible broken jaw.

Pagara fulfilled his pre-fight promise to avenge the loss of his stablemate, AJ Banal who bowed to Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu last month at the Mall of Asia Arena. Pagara received a trophy from Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco.

The 18-year-old Pagara improved to 14W-0L, 10 KOs while handing Eausampan’s first loss as the Thai dropped to 5W-1L, 2 KOs. This was Pagara’s third win against a foreign opponent after beating East African Shabani Madilu by unanimous decision last year in Bacolod City and stopping Phupha Pro Nobnum of Thailand in two rounds last March at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Albert’s brother, Jason “El Nino” Pagara, was given a special award and cash before the main event for winning the WBO International jr. welterweight title last August against Mexican Rosbel Montoya.

In the undercards, Jun “Flash” Intor used an array of brutal body shots to stop Junel Busano in the 4th round; Takaomi Naoma of Japan survived a bloodied nose in the opening round to beat Jamjam Ungon by unanimous decision in four rounds while in the opening bout of the evening, Bryan Lobitania beat Michael Beron by TKO in the second round.

The event opened with amateur fights with Mandaue City beating Maasin City, 4-2.  /correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.