DUEL IN DUBAI 2: ALBERT PAGARA WINS BY FIRST ROUND KO; JASON, JACA WIN (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 08 Aug 2015
DUBAI ? Prince Albert Pagara knocked his Mexican opponent Jesus 'Chito' Rios in the first round to successfully defend his IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight title in the front of a raucous crowd at the World Trade Center here Friday night in the 32nd edtion of the highly successful 'Pinoy Pride' series also known here as 'Duel in Dubai 2'. Jason Pagara, Albert's elder brother, also won by 8th round technical decision over Ramiro Alcaraz and veteran Jimrex Jaca used his experience to survive a 5th round knockdown to eventually prevail after 8 rounds against another Mexican, Pablo Lugo Montiel.
Albert Pagara immediately went after Rios with probing combinations after the opening bell that seemed to unsettle Rios, who was 2 lbs overweight on the first try during Thursday's weighin and wore a 10-oz glove as a penalty in addition to taking away his right to win Albert belt even if he wins. Pagara, brimming with confidence, then connected with a right straight left cross combo that sent Rios crushing to the canvas for the first time. Veteran referee Bruce McTavish allowed the fight to continue as Rios, although visibly wobbly, beat the count. Pagara then unleashed a barrage of punches, most of it solidly landed, as Rios was trto apped in the ropes before McTavish came in to stop the contest and saved Rios from further punishment.
The accumulation of punches however was so lethal that Rios fell to the canvas unconscious and there were some anxious moments as the ring physician and the medical team put on the oxygen and tried to revive the Mexican who recovered after a few minutes.
Albert, ranked number 5 by the IBF in the super bantamweight division, now improved his undefeated record to 24 wins with 17 stoppages, five of them in his last six fights. Fighting successfully for the first time outside his native Philippines in front of a sold out 4,100 capacity venue here in Dubai, Albet is now penciled to co-headline ALA Promotions' maiden US event at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on October 17 this year, according to ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
Rios's corner and medical team rush to help Jesus Rios.
Rios on oxygen.
Pagara retains belt.
Albert's elder brother Jason Pagara had a hard time against the run and gun Ramiro Alcaraz in a fight that turned bloody and ugly. An accidental clash of heads right in the very first round cut Jason on the left eyebrow and resulted in a point deduction on the Mexican. Pagara wobbled Alcaraz in the second round but the Filipino had a hard time catching the Mexican the rest of the night as Alcaraz continued to move around and only occasionally coming in to engage in close quarters.
Jason Pagara pressures Ramiro Alcaraz.
Another point was deducted by Referee Ver Abainza on Alcaraz in the 6th round as the Mexican hit Pagara with several punches after the bell. In the seventh, Pagara connected a low blow on Alcaraz which halted the contest for a minute but as soon as the action resumed, Alcaraz connected with his own low blow that angered Pagara. In the 8th round, a headbutt by Alcaraz sustained another cut on Pagara where he was examined by ring physician and GAB boxing head Nasser Cruz who recommended that the Filipino was unfit to continue forcing the result to be decided on the scorecards at that point. Judge Robert Dale Bridges had it 77-73, Greg Ortega, 76-74 and Dan Nietes, 78-72 all in favor for Pagara.
Pagara, ranked No. 2 by the WBO in the junior welterweight division, is now 36-2-0 with 22 KO. Alcaraz dropped to 15-5-1.
Jaca connects with a left on Montiel.
In the fight of night, veteran Jimrex Jaca dominated Pablo Lugo Montiel with accurate jabs, solid left uppercuts and right crosses, hitting the mark in the first three rounds but in the fourth round, Montiel connected with one of his dangerous short counters that sent Jaca scampering to the canvas that the referee mistakenly ruled as a slip. With Jaca visibly hurt, Montiel rushed on Jaca and connected to the head that sent Jaca to the canvas again for the count. As Montiel looked to finish off the Filipino, Jaca, desperate to survive, intentionally threw his mouthguard three times during the privotal round to gain breathing space as his mouthguard was cleaned up and re-fitted. The Mexican corner was aghast as the referee failed to warn or deduct Jaca's antics as Jaca was able to survive the fifth round.
In the sixth round, Jaca, still visibly hurt, was forced to hold after throwing quick shots as Montiel desperately tried to land another big punch. Jaca appeared to recover and get his second win in the 7th and 8th rounds and regain control of the fight as the predominantly Filipino crowd chanted his name. Jaca went on to win by unanimous decision with scores of 78-74, 78-74 and 77-74.
Abarra decks Arema.
In the remaining undercards, highly popular among local fans Dubai based Filipino Larry Abarra (4-2-1, 3KO) landed a beautiful left cross and stopped his Indonesian opponent Tony Arema (2-6-1) at 54 seconds of the first round in their 8-round super bantam contest. Abarra, originally from Olongapo City and a mainstay of the Dubai Round 10 Boxing Gym, registered his second win in the Pinoy Pride series. He last won against Chatpayak Sithkopon Nuengkawkawhok of Thailand on Pinoy Pride 27 in September last year.
Krizito knocks out Manopchaigym.
Deo Krizito of Uganda, also of the Round 10 Gym, knocked out Fapetch Manopchaigym of Thailand at 2:38 of the 4th round in their 6-rounds junior welterweight bout.
Bamidele knocks out Singmanasak.
Lasisi Bamidele of Nigeria, another Round 10 Gym stalwart, knocked out Singnoi Singmanasak of Thailand at 2:50 of the first round of their bantamweight contest.
Akram vs Mwangi.
In the curtain raiser, Mohammad Akram of Syria won by unanimous decision over Nicholas Mwangi of Kenya in their 4-round lightweight contest.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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