'PINOY PRIDE 35: STARS OF THE FUTURE' FINAL PRESSCON QUOTES & PHOTOS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Feb 2016
Albert Pagara Ready for Whatever Talavera Brings to the Table
Magsayo Wants to Dispath Montoya Quickly so He Can Go on with His Next Fight
CEBU CITY ? Undefeated super bantaweight 'Prince' Albert Pagara and his trainer Edmund Villamor said they are ready for whatever visiting Nicaraguan champion Yesner Talavera and his famous trainer Rosendo Alvarez, will bring atop the ring on Saturday night when Pagara and Talavera will finally meet for the vacant WBO Jr Featherweight championship as the headliner of 'Pinoy Pride 35: Stars of the Future' at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino.
"We've prepared for anything that Talavera will do on Saturday," multi-awarded trainer Edmund Villamor said during the final press conference held at the Waterfront Hotel Thursday. "If he comes in and slug it out, or if he fights in the distance and box, we're prepared for that. We gave Albert sparring partners who run and box and sparring partners who pressured him and slug it out," Villamor said. Earlier, Team Talavera said that they've prepared something that will surprise Pagara.
In a response, Talavera (15-3-1, 4KO) said that he will not run, "I will stay in the center of the ring and slug it out to show my bravery."
Not for Money but for Honor an Glory
Talavera's trainer and manager, Nicaraguan boxing great Rosendo 'El Bufalo' Alvarez, said that they come to the Philippines knowing fully well that they will have a difficult fight in front of them, "but in my stable, the 'Bufalo Promotions', all our boxers fight not for money, but for honor and glory," Alvarez said who earlier lamented the sad state of boxing wherein boxers no longer fight with heart and soul but hand pick opponents to earn more money. "We're here to win and bring the title to Nicaragua," Alvarez said.
As for Pagara (25-0-0, 18KO), who has already been penciled to headline a July 9 card in San Francisco, California, said he will do his talking atop of the ring. "Talking is one thing, but it's different when you're already at the top of the ring. I'll let my actions speak atop the ring," Pagara said.
PHOTOS BY LEVI DERESAS / PHILBOXING.COM.
Top photo: Albert Pagara and Yesner Talavera pose with ALA Pomotions president Michael Aldeguer.
Pagara and Talavera pose during the final presscon held at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City.
Mark Magsayo (L) and Eduardo Montoya (R)
Kevin Jake Cataraja (L) and Tony Rodriguez.
Melvin Jerusalem (L) and former world champion Florante Condes.
Marco Demecillo.
Stars of the Future? (L-R): Elmo Traya, Jeo Santisima, Melvin Jerusalem and Kevin Jake Cataraja.
In the co-main event, Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (12-0-0, 10KO) said that he wants to get over his fight against Eduardo Montoya (17-4-1, 13KO) so he can turn his attention to his next fight, most likely against title contender Chris Avalos of the United States. "I felt no pressure at all, but I'm excited because after this, it's Avalos next," Magsayo said.
But Montoya told Magsayo not so fast. "I've come here very confident, we prepared very well for this fight. We come here to win and you have to pass thru me before you can get Avalos," Montoya said.
Highly touted prospect Kevin Jake Cataraja (2-0-0, 2KO) and his Mexican opponent Tony Rodriguez, who was seated side by side, both promised to knock each other out.
"I'm prepared for this war. I come here to win and God willing, I will knock him out," Rodriguez said. To which Cataraja retorted, "He came here in my turf and I will defend it. I guess knockouts will rain on Saturday night."
Former world champion Florante Condes (27-9-1, 23KO) who will face upstart Melvin 'Gringo' Jerusalem (8-0-0, 7KO) said that, "Well they want this fight, it's up to them. I'm giving them a favor. Just watch our fight on Saturday."
Jerusalem, for his part, said, "I'm happy that I've finally meet my opponent face to face, the former world champion. I'm excited to fight him."
An expected barn-burner of a fight between sluggers Marco Demecillo (21-4-1, 16KO) and Jeo Santisima (8-2-0, 7KO) could upstage the headliners, and Demecillo said "I don't expect this fight to go the distance. Someone will get knocked out in this fight." Santisima agreed, and said, "Good luck to both of us."
Also on the card is a fight between Elmo 'Bisdak' Traya (10-1-0, 8KO) who will take on Romeo Jakosalem (16-11-1, 6KO) and a couple of curtain raisers, Muhammad Radhwin of Singapore vs Melchor Roda of Samar and Esneth Domingo of Sultan Kudarat vs Vic Ejercito of Mandaue City.
The official weighin will be held at the Robinson's Galleria starting 11:00 Friday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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