Annual Sinulog boxing returns to Country Mall

THE ALA Promotions Sinulog fight card headlined by the ten-round battle between ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara against Jilo Merlin will be held at the Gaisano Country Mall on Sunday, January 20.

The ‘Free to the Public’ boxing promotion was initially scheduled at the IT Park in Lahug but was eventually moved to the Country Mall with seven bouts featured on the undercards.

Pagara fought in his hometown Maasin City last November and stopped Tawanrung Eausampan of Thailand in two rounds. The unbeaten pug (14W-0L, 10 KOs) also headlined the Sinulog Festival boxing card last year and beat tough veteran Lowie Bantigue by third round knockout.

Merlin (12W-14L-2D, 2 KOs) is a battle-scarred road warrior who has lost overseas fights in Thailand and Japan.

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) will have the official weigh-in of the protagonists on Jan. 19 Saturday noon also at the Country Mall.

The annual boxing spectacle is a continuing tradition of ALA Promotions during the Sinulog Festival celebration. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.