Relaxed Pagara vows to win

Two days before the biggest and most important fight of his career, Filipino Jason “El Niño” Pagara of ALA Boxing Gym looked relaxed and unperturbed as he sat one seat away from his tormentor Mexican Rosbel “Lobo” Montoya during yesterday’s final press conference for Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs. Mexico-The Rematch at Cafe Uno of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Wearing headphones and smiling while answering questions from the media, Pagara turned serious when he declared that this Saturday’s grudge rematch will be a war.

Pagara even predicted that he will knock out his Mexican rival who handed the most painful loss of his young boxing career.

“He did not knock me out in our first fight and I was not able to knock him out too. But this time I will make sure that he will be knocked out because I prepared long and hard for this rematch,” said Pagara who sports a pro record of 28 wins, two losses and 17 knockouts.

Montoya for his part, said he will use the same tactics he used against Pagara in their first fight which resulted in a lopsided unanimous decision victory. He said Pagara’s defense is very vulnerable and he intends to exploit this chink in the Filipino’s armor.

Despite losing his last fight via sixth round knockout to Argentinian Claudio Alfredo Olmedo, Montoya (36W-4L-1D 30KOs), said Olmedo is a very difficult fighter who constantly changes his style.

“He (Olmedo) is very strong. I think that fight was not for me. But I will make sure that this Saturday’s fight will be mine,” said Montoya.

FIGHT TAPES

Joseph Baldago, Pagara’s trainer said that Montoya’s loss to Olmedo will be the key to their victory after he reviewed the tape of that fight no less than a dozen times to get ideas on how to beat the Mexican. He said they have already addressed Pagara’s weaknesses as he said his ward is 100 percent ready for this rematch.

Montoya and Pagara will be fighting for the WBO International jr. welterweight title in the main event of PP XV.

Meanwhile, Mexican Angel “Arcangel” Martinez (13-2-1, 9KOs) denied he called Jimrex Jaca “a boxer with no power.”

“I came here to fight with respect to my opponent and I am not the kind of boxer who insults my opponents. I prefer to walk my talk inside the ring,” said Martinez.

The comebacking Jaca (34-6-3, 19KOs) said he found extra motivation in what Martinez said which appeared on the internet. “After he saw me, he changed his tune, but I read it in the internet,” Jaca said. Jaca reportedly told a friend that he will send Martinez, nicknamed ‘Arcangel’ to heaven.

Meanwhile, Genesis “Azukal” Servania (18-0-0, 6KOs), said that he is very prepared for his fight against Mexican Jorge Pazos (21-3-0, 14KOs) in the co-main event.

“I will just stay cautious in this fight because everything can happen inside the ring. But I will do my best to win this title,” said Servania who will be fighting Pazos for the WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight belt.

Pagara’s younger brother Prince Albert (11-0-0, 9KOs) will battle Bukidnon’s Alvin Makiling (9-4-3, 2KOs) in the undercard.

The card’s official weigh-in will be held today at the SM City Cebu Activity Center at 11 a.m.