Fighting Pagaras vow KOs in Dubai
BROTHERS Jason and “Prince” Albert Pagara of the ALA Stable both speak in a low-key fashion, but the glint in their eyes betray their excitement over their upcoming fight at the Dubai World Trade Center on Aug. 7.
En route to the United Arab Emirates from Cebu last Thursday, Team ALA made a stopover in Manila to meet the press at Gerrry’s Grill in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
It is the first time the Pagara siblings are fighting outside the Philippines and the result of this Pinoy Pride episode dubbed “Duel in Dubai 2” would determine if their boxing careers are headed to greater heights.
If the brothers are successful in their first assignment abroad, their next stop would be the US where ALA has already put up an office with the vision of going global full blast.
“Thus if we win over our respective opponents in Dubai, the boss said we would be sent to America for training. The next fight is tentatively set on Oct. 17 also in the United States,” the elder Jason said.
Jason is 23, two years older than Albert, and is married with three kids. Albert is still single.
During the press luncheon hosted by ALA, Jason and Albert said they prepared long and hard to give their kababayans in Dubai a really good fight. The Prince will be defending his IBF Intercontinental junior featherweight title against Jesus Rios of Mexico in the main event while Jason goes up against Ramiro Alcara, also of Mexico, in a 10-rounder.
Although he does not advise the Pagaras to be overconfident, Ed Villamor, the coach of the two boys, told us that he himself is expecting a very good performance from both since they had really prepared hard for the fight in Dubai. Albert even sparred with Nonito Donaire Jr. in Cebu before the Filipino Flash’s nontitle fight against Frenchman Anthony Settoul in Macau.
“We’re ready. Sana knockout. Maraming Filipino sa Dubai, sana mapasaya namin sila (There are many Filipinos in Dubai, we hope to make them happy),” said Albert.
Jason assured the Philippine media they would be going for a knockout. “Siyempre gusto natin knockout. Huwag lang first round para naman masaya ang mga tao. Siguro mga three rounds (Of course we want a knockout but hopefully not in the first round, to make the crowd happy. Maybe in the third round),” Jason said.
Also featured in “Duel in Dubai 2” is hard-hitting Jimrex Jaca against Pablo Lugo of Mexico.
