Pagara all set for title defense

Pagara brothers. CDN FILE PHOTO

ALBERT Pagara was all smiles as he showed his six-pack abs and bulging biceps before television cameras on Thursday (Friday in Manila) in San Mateo, California.

The prime Filipino prospect, donning a striking neon yellow hair, is happy with the way his training for his defense of the WBO intercontinental super bantamweight title against Mexican Cesar Juarez on Saturday night turned out.

The unbeaten Pagara (26-0, 18 knockouts) and Juarez (17-5, 13 KOs), best remembered for giving “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire a hell of a fight before losing last December, will tangle in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 37: Fists of the Future at San Mateo Event Center.

“We’ve figured out his (Juarez) style; we’re not worried,” the 22-year-old Pagara, who trained extensively in Cebu City and Wild Card Gym in Hollywood under the guidance of Edmund Villamor, told Philboxing in Filipino.

According to Pagara, he expects Juarez to come up with the same relentless come forward style he used to push Donaire to the limit.

But even if Juarez deviates from the fight plan, Pagara said he’s ready with a plan B.

They have one common opponent—Mexican Hugo Partida. Though Pagara won by first round TKO and Juarez lost to Partida by majority decision, boxing experts agree that the Mexican remains a dangerous opponent.

Jason Pagara, Albert’s older brother, will tangle with Mexican Abraham Alvarez in the chief support of the fight card jointly undertaken by ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports.

Toting a 38-2 record with 23 KOs, Jason will be pitted against Alvarez (21-9-1, 10 KOs), a knockout-hunting brawler. Roy Luarca