Pagara brothers pull off contrasting wins in Dubai

Jason and Albert Pagara. PHOTOS BY ROY LUARCA

DUBAI, U.A.E–Albert Pagara pulled off a sensational first round knockout victory over a hapless Jesus Rios of Mexico to keep his International Boxing Federation junior featherweight title in Dubai early Saturday (Manila time).

Pagara first downed Rios with a barrage of punches and then finished off the Mexican with another flurry barely two minutes into the headliner of Pinoy Pride 32: Duel in Dubai 2 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

His brotherJason Pagara, meanwhile, won by unanimous decision over Mexican Ramiro Alcaraz, 77-73, 76-74, 78-72.

The 10-round junior welterweight encounter was halted in the eighth round upon the advice of ring physician Dr. Nasser Cruz following another headbutt that bloodied Jason’s left eyelid anew.

The Mexican was deducted a point each in the first round for accidental head butt that opened up the cut and again in the sixth for hitting after the bell has sounded.

Jason improved to 36-2, 22 knockouts while Alcaraz dropped to 15-5, 9 knockouts.

Veteran Jimrex Jaca survived a fourth round knockdown to beat tough Mexican Pablo Lugo Montiel via unanimous decision 78-73 twice and 77-74.

Jaca improved to 40-8-4, 22 knockouts while Montiel fell to 21-6, 17 KOs.

Dubai-based Filipino Larry Abarra scored a sensational 54-second first round knockout over Indonesian Tony Arema in their 122-pound showdown, a curtain raiser of the Pinoy Pride event here. CFC