WBO International Lightweight champion Jason “El Niño” Pagara vowed to avenge Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista’s loss to Mexican Jose Ramirez last Saturday when he battles Mexican, Aaron “La Joya” Herrera on May 25 for the 20th installment of Pinoy Pride dubbed “Laban Kung Laban” at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Pagara’s (30-2,19KOs) second appearance as main header pits him against Herrera who holds a fearsome record of 25 wins with 17 knockouts and a single loss.
“I was really saddened by Bautista’s loss against the Mexican and I promise to avenge his loss,” said Pagara during yesterday’s press conference at the Saint Mark Hotel.
Pagara, who avenged his loss to Mexican Rosbel Montoya six months ago, expressed his excitement to step inside the ring again.
“I’ve trained for this for a long time and I think I am very prepared for this fight. All we have to do now is to view Herrera’s fight tapes to study his style,” said Pagara.
Pagara will be joined by another of ALA Boxing Gym’s undefeated rising stars, Genesis “Azukal” Servania (19-0, 7KOs) who will fight Indonesia’s Isaac Junior (20-3-2, 8KOs) for 10 rounds and Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca (37-6-3, 21KOs) who will defend his WBO Oriental Light Welterweight title against Mexican Jose Emilio Perea (22-2,14KOs).
SERVANIA’S BIG BREAK
Meanwhile, ALA Promotions top honcho Michael Aldeguer announced that they have received a letter from Top Rank inviting Servania to fight in the undercard of Milan Melindo’s world title bout against WBO and WBA lightflyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau this August.
“It’s something pleasing for us, because they were able to notice not just Melindo but also Servania’s potential. It means that Servania’s career could become bigger,” said Aldeguer.
An excited Servania promised that he will give more than 100 percent of himself to exceed their expectations. “I’ll do my best to prove them that I am worthy of that spot,” he said. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL