Pagara battles Bantigue Jan 15

“PRINCE” Albert Pagara of the ALA Gym is scheduled to face grizzled veteran Lowie Bantigue in a 10-round non-title bout at the Gaisano Country Mall Carpark on Jan. 15.

The fight will mark the first time Pagara will see action in a 10-round affair. The 17-year-old is unbeaten in nine  fights with seven knockouts, and has headlined three fight cards in Maasin City last year. He also fought in the undercard of Pinoy Pride IX in Bacolod City where he beat Tanzanian Shabani Madilu by unanimous decision.

Albert is the younger brother of jr.welterweight prospect Jason Pagara.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Bantigue is a 44-fight veteran who lost in his previous attempts to win Oriental and Philippine titles.

Bantigue (21W-16L-7D,12 KOs) lost to Marco Demecillo Singwangcha of the RWS Gym last October in Liloan, Cebu. He is expected to provide the young Pagara a tough test.

There will be six more professional bouts in the undercard featuring Welbeth Loberanis vs. Jonathan Ricablanca (10 rounds), Melvin Gumban vs. Anthony Galigao (8 rounds), Roma Rate vs. Rowel Garcia (6 rounds), Mark Vincent Bernaldez vs. Royroy Sumugat (6 rounds), Juren Labordo vs. Taos Basar (4 rounds) and Rey Morales vs. Renante Suacasa (4 rounds).

This card is offered free to the public and is part of the continuing tradition of ALA Promotions to stage free boxing matches during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.