AMERICAN DREAM FOR ALBERT PAGARA
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Aug 2015
It's the ultimate dream of every fighter to climb atop the ring in the United States where the biggest boxing matches in the world are engaged. America is the home of the greatest boxers in the planet like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Mayweather Jr., to name a few.
Albert Pagara, the sensational IBF intercontinental superbantamweight champion, the fast rising darling of the crowd from Maasin City, Southern Leyte, will fight for the second time outside the Philippine soil. The first one was in the ultra modern city of Dubai in United Arab Emirates. The second time will be in Carson City, California on October 17, 2015.
"I'm excited to fight in California. My opponent will be Latino," said the younger Pagara when he was in Maasin for a hero's welcome last city fiesta on August 15, 2015.
He wanted me to attend the fight but I declined in advance because it will be the schedule for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 national and local elections.
Albert said he will contest the vacant WBO international junior featherweight title. And after a successful Carson City venture it will be a go for the world title.
He said he was offered to fight against IBF world superbantamweight champion Carl Frampton of Britain but did not materialize. Elder brother Jason Pagara will fight in the undercard of the boxing encounter billed "Filipinos Contra Latinos."
The main event will feature the defense of the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes. It will also include the fight involving undefeated Mark Magsayo.
Right after their Dubai victories, both Albert and Jason guested in ABS-CBN programs, most notably Gandang Gabi Vice with gay comedian Vice Ganda. It was the second guesting for Albert and the first for Jason.
"I finished him off in the very first round," said Albert referring to his Mexican opponent Jesus Chito Rios. "He boasted of knocking me out in the fifth round but I let him sleep instead."
When asked about the prospect of following the footsteps of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, Albert humbly replied: "It's very hard to duplicate Pacquiao's feat. But I will exert much effort to gain a world title for the sake of my countrymen."
The venue of the fight is the StubHub Center, formerly the Home Depot Center, a multiple-use sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.
Pagara will fight at the facility which has also served as the venue for high-profile professional boxing involving Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham, Brandon R?os vs. Urbano Antill?n and matches featuring popular fighters as Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, Jhonny Gonzalez, Marcos Maidana, Erislandy Lara, Israel Vasquez, Rafael Marquez, Robert Guerrero, Devon Alexander, Josesito Lopez, Antonio Margarito, Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams, Vic Darchinyan, Abner Mares, Jesus Soto Karass, and Sakio Bika.
Our very own Nonito Donaire fought at the StubHub Center (Home Depot) against Nicholas Walters, Toshiaki Nishioka and Jeffrey Mathebula.
Photo shows the author in his residence with Albert Pagara during the Maasin City Fiesta.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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