Albert Pagara off to California for make-or-break tiff

“PRINCE” Albert Pagara saw how Cesar Juarez pushed Nonito Donaire Jr. to the limit before losing last December.

That didn’t make Pagara think twice of fighting Juarez, however. It only fueled his desire to tangle with the Mexican on July 9 at San Mateo Event Center in California.

According to the blonde-topped Pagara, he’s excited to fight Juarez, who lost to Donaire by unanimous decision, so he would know where he really stands in international boxing.

“I want [to fight] him; I will beat him,” Pagara said in Filipino during Monday’s pre-departure conference at Dencio’s Tomas Morato in Quezon City. “But I will have to be wary of his power punches.”

The unbeaten Pagara (26-0, with 18 knockouts), accompanied by trainer Michael Domingo, left for the United States last night to train and spar at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Edmund Villamor, head trainer of ALA Boxing, will follow them on May 31, shortly after Pinoy Pride 36 in Bacolod on May 28.

Though only 22 years old, Pagara said he already feels like 30 as far as boxing savvy is concerned.

Against a warrior like Juarez (17-5, 13 KOs), Pagara said he needs to enhance his stamina, speed and footwork to have better chances of winning the 12-round battle.

“I’ll use straights and uppercuts to beat him (Juarez),” said Pagara. “At the same time, I need to be wary of his power punch.”

Pagara said he now weighs 136 pounds, just 12 lb over the super bantamweight limit.

“This is the biggest test of Albert,” said Michael Aldeguer, president and CEO of ALA Sports Promotions International Inc.

“We knew it would be a dangerous fight and is a risk to his WBO No. 2 world ranking but again, just like Magsayo (his ALA stablemate Mark), we need to find out if he has what it takes to be a world champion.”