Boxing bros ‘works in progress’

As of June 13, the Quezon City police had yet to determine the motive behind the killing of car racer Enzo Pastor, who was shot in the head Thursday night inside the truck he was driving.

Pastor, 32, was transporting his race car to the Clark International Speedway, where he was set to compete in the Asian V8 Championship this July, when he was ambushed at the intersection of Congressional and Visayas Avenue. His helper, Paolo Salazar, who was seated beside him, was hit in the abdomen.

I have not personally met Enzo although I have read and heard much about him and his family which is involved in his sporting career, from what I gathered.

His father Tom handles his business affairs and sponsorships, I’m told, and a number of these sponsors, in particular of the V8 series, are unhappy because of unfulfilled commitments.

“I just don’t know if this has anything to do with what happened to Enzo,” our source said.

* * *

Looking at brothers Jason and Albert Pagara, the first impression you’d get is that they are college students, in one of the big universities in Cebu.

Both are wholesome-looking and well-groomed, soft-spoken and polite—not the usual traits of a boxer.

Known as “El Niño,” Jason is the older of the two. At 22, he is married and has one child. He has had 35 fights to his name, winning 33, 20 of them by knockouts, and losing two. He is the reigning WBO International light welterweight champion and is currently ranked No. 3 in the world by the WBO among light welterweights.

One boxing scribe described Jason and his younger sib “Prince” Albert as “works in progress” and the result of their bouts against Mexican opponents in Pinoy Pride 26 on June 21 at Waterfront Cebu City should determine the path of their career.

Albert is undefeated in 20 bouts, 14 of them by knockouts.

“He has a 70 percent knockout rate,”   said ALA exec Dennis Canete.

* * *

HOOPVINE: After the presentation of the Kia coaching staff to the media early this week, playing coach Manny Pacquiao reportedly left shortly for Israel. Glenn Capacio should be taking over the Kia tryouts… Was Juan Manuel Marquez serious when he said he wanted $20 million for a fifth match with Pacquiao? Out of this world! Manny only got $18 million for his last title fight against Timothy Bradley… Being an NBA free agent, GiAndray Blatche had to fly back to the US to attend to his contract, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said. “In late July he will join the Gilas training camp in Miami,” Barrios said.