Pagara new world boxing prospect

A CEBU-BASED acquaintance, who is in Manila on a business trip, just couldn’t stop talking about “Prince” Albert Pagara, the current IBF intercontinental super bantamweight champion from the ALA stable, who will be up against Mexican challenger Raul Mirales on Nov. 15 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

The youthful Pagara is undefeated in 21 fights, 15 by knockouts. Of the 15 KO victims, nine lasted only three rounds. This is the reason why my friend from Cebu has high hopes and great expectations from this boxer, who dreams of someday being in the ring with two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, who beat Nonito Donaire Jr. in 2013.

Indeed, experts predict a great future for the speedy and tough Pagara, who exudes supreme confidence in the ring .

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Featured in the main event of Pinoy Pride 28’s “History in the Making” is current WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, who hopes to surpass the record by the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

Right now, Nietes is the second-longest reigning Filipino world champion next to Elorde, who ruled the junior lightweight division for seven years.

Nietes, who is the only Filipino to successfully defend his title thrice in Mexico, will defend it this time in his homeland against challenger Carlos “Chapito” Velarde of Mexico, ranked No. 5 in the WBO.

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SBP executive director Sonny Barrios dismissed his office personnel at 2 p.m. on the eve of All Saints’ Day, but he had to make sure the 50,000 euros required by the Fiba from the bidders for the hosting of the 2018 Fiba World Cup was remitted that day.

Failure to meet the deadline of Oct. 31 set by Fiba for payment of the required fee meant the Philippines would be stricken off the list of interested bidders.

The list of bidders is long, according to Mr. Barrios: China, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, among many others.

If there are so many countries interested to host the next Fiba World Cup, I asked the SBP official what chance a third world country like us has to be chosen, especially if we can only show Fiba a blueprint of the infrastructures we intend to build, while the rich countries can already show existing stadiums.

Barrios said the Filipinos’ deep passion for basketball will work like magic in the country’s coveted hosting bid.

Incidentally, in case the Gilas issue is still not very clear to you, it’s actually very easy to understand as explained by the SBP executive director.

In a nutshell, the Gilas program will be retained, but the selection of players will be done by two committees.

Stakeholders like the NCAA, UAAP, Cesafi and the SBP will choose the pool for the younger Gilas teams while representatives from the PBA and SBP will select those for Gilas Elite.