ALBERT PAGARA RECEIVES A HERO'S WELCOME IN MAASIN CITY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 31 Oct 2015
After his successful victory in Carson City, California, USA against Nicaraguan William "Chirizo" Gonzalez via 6th round knockout, Prince Albert Pagara was warmly welcomed yesterday by the people of Maasin City, Southern Leyte. A motorcade around the poblacion of the city showed how the citizens of this capital city of Southern Leyte loved their local boxing hero.
The motorcade was accompanied by some fifty cyclists from Maasin City which started at the city hall going to the provincial capitol then to his home barangay in Lib-og where he was born. The route include the terminal and public market, the commercial centers, the public plaza then back to the city hall.
People along the streets waved at him, shouted "Idol!", some took selfies, and some young girls shrieked at the instant the pick-up vehicle carrying the champion passed by. He was accompanied by this writer and with us was Liga ng mga Barangay President Nikko Mercado, the son the governor, our candidate for City Mayor.
That evening, during the Barangay Tunga-tunga Fiesta Boxing Showdown, we gave Pagara recognition atop the boxing ring at the city hall grounds. He said that the address Cebu City which was announced by ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. was erroneously mentioned. And he even asked his second why it was not Maasin City. His second answer we cannot change it anymore it was already called by Lennon.
He further said that he lost his concentration a little bit in the fight because of that mistake that he became extra aggressive punching Gonzalez an extra blow when he was still on the canvas causing the referee to warm him and gave his opponent a time to rest.
He assured his kababayans that the same error won't happen in the succeeding fights. That definitely he will be using his birth place as his address.
Albert now has two international title belts, the IBF intercontinental junior featherweight and WBO intercontinental junior featherweight belts. He is slated to face another Mexican boxer in February of next year in another Pinoy Pride card possibly at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
He said he wanted to move to the featherweight division but would like to challenge for the world title before moving to a heavier category. He called on either Scott Quigg, the WBA super champion or Carl Frampton, the IBF champion to stake their crowns against him.
Good luck Albert in your endeavors and the people of Maasin City are always behind you.
Photo shows a selfie of this writer with Albert Pagara during the hero's welcome at Maasin City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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