Pagara: It will be swift and easy

WBO International light welterweight champ Jason “El Niño” Pagara promised a swift and easy victory against Mexico’s Aaron “La Hoya” Herrera (25-1, 17 KOs) as he defends his title this Saturday in the main event of “Pinoy Pride XX: Laban Kung Laban” at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“He is just an average boxer, a very simple opponent. I can promise that there will be a knockout,” said Pagara (30-2, 19KOs) during yesterday’s final press conference held at the Waterfront’s ‘s Aegian Room attended by Herrera, WBO Asia Pacific supervisor Leon Panoncillo and ALA Boxing Promotions Vice President Dennis Cañete.

Like Pagara, Herrera also described his foe as an ordinary opponent. “He is a good fighter but not that good, and on Saturday night he will finally face a better boxer,” warned Herrera.

Panoncillo for his part said that he is glad to be back here in Cebu to witness another boxing spectacle as he described Cebu as fast gaining a reputation as a new boxing destination here in Asia aside from Macao.

Cañete bared that Pagara needs to win impressively so that ALA Promotions will send him to the US to train.

INCONSISTENT BOXER

Meanwhile, Ernesto Salgado Garcia, the trainer of Mexican Jose Emilio Perea (29-2, 20KOs) who will face Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca (37-6-3, 21 KOs) said that the latter is a good boxer but is inconsistent. “He gave Juan Manuel Marquez a tough time beating him but as what I can see, he is really inconsistent, and that’s what we will take advantage of,” said Garcia.

Jaca on the other hand, said that fight happened a long time ago when he was not yet a member of the ALA stable. He said that he has already improved a lot over the years.

“Now that I’m part of ALA Boxing Gym, everything changed and improved and I am really prepared for this fight. I will not give up inside the ring,” said Jaca.

The undefeated Genesis “Azukal” Servania (19-0, 7 KO’s) for his part also needs an impressive victory to boost his international image. And in order to do that, he must get rid of Indonesian Isaac Junior (20-3-2, 8 KOs).

“Everything is scheduled in Macao but I have to perform well this Saturday so that they will not get disappointed of me,” said Servania who will be fighting Junior in a 10-round non-title bout.

Fighting in the undercards are Jessel Magsayo of the ALA Gym vs. Melton Sandal of Zamboanga del Norte in a four rounder; Ralph Lulu vs. Junnie Salogaol, Servania’s younger brother Roland vs. Andrew Palas, Elmo Traya vs. Jonie Villacrusis, Richard Barrios vs. Lauro Balweg and Japanse Kazuma Ejiri vs. Jonas Sultan.

The card’s official weigh-in will be held today at the SM City Cebu Event Center at 12-noon.