Pagara guns for early KO vs Chavez tonight

DAVAO CITY—Jason “El Niño” Pagara will gun for a quick knockout when he defends his WBO International junior featherweight title against Mexican Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 29 tonight at USEP Gym here.

Usually reserved in his predictions, Pagara said he will stop Chavez in two rounds after being informed that the Mexican vowed to knock him out inside five rounds of their 12-round bout.

“He’ll last two rounds with me,” Pagara told sportswriters in Filipino after yesterday’s official weigh-in at SM City Activity Center.

Pagara has the power to back up his words having stopped 21 foes, including the last two, in a ring record of 34 wins against two defeats.

“I’ve only seen one of his (Chavez) fights on YouTube and I know I can beat him,” said Pagara, who checked in at 138 pounds, two under the limit, in his fifth title defense.

The 27-year-old Chavez (23-7, 11 KOs) came in at 139 for the 12-round tussle capping off the eight-fight card, a joint undertaking of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports.

“I’ve prepared long and hard for this fight,” said Pagara, who intends to bulk up to 150 lb fight night. “I’ve been promised a training stint and probable title card if I win impressively.”

If given the chance, Pagara said he’d like to meet the division’s finest, Danny Garcia.

Unbeaten Genesis “Azukal” Servania (25-0, 11 KOs) will stake his WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight title against another Mexican, Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez (17-3-1, 9 KOs), in the chief support.

Both Servania and Hernandez tipped the scales at 121 lb for their 12-rounder.

Another unscathed ALA fighter, “King” Arthur Villanueva (26-0, 14 KOs) will try to make up for two subpar performances when he battles former WBO flyweight champion Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda (38-11-2, 29 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Villanueva weighed in at 115 lb, slightly heavier than Miranda’s 114.5.

Hailed as world champion-material, Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo will seek his 10th straight win and eighth knockout when he battles Thai Sukkasem Kietyongyuth (13-3, 8KOs) in another 10-rounder.

Other bouts pit Arjan “Spartan” Canillas against Indonesian Stevi Ongen Ferdinandus; Vic Saludar against Lester John Prongco; Rafael Sueno against Arnold Grande and Brian Lobitania against Armando Yee.

Present during the weigh-in were ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer and noted boxing patron Tony Aldeguer.