ALBERT PAGARA CONSIDERS RAUL HIRALES HIS TOUGHEST OPPONENT SO FAR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Prince Albert Pagara considered Mexican Raul Hirales as the toughest opponent he has faced atop the ring so far. The ALA Gym standout clashed with Hirales in an IBF intercontinental super bantamweight title fight at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel on November 15, 2014.
"My fight with Hirales was the most grueling encounter I ever experienced," said the 22-year old Pagara. "I had a terrible headache after trading blows with the sturdy Mexican."
During that memorable fight, Prince Albert sent the Mexican to the canvas in the third round, unleashing several combinations to the head and body. But the Baja California Sur-born visitor ably defended his body from further punishment as he coasted along not to lose by a knockout.
* * *
The scores were lopsided 120-107, 120-107, and 119-108. Only one round was given by one judge inspite of the rigorous aggression by Hirales.
"If I made it against Hirales then I can face Juarez with the same tenacity I showed and further improve my fighting techniques."
Before the bout with Pagara, Hirales was 22-3-1 with 11 KO's. Cesar Juarez though has a better record at 17-5 with 13 KO's. If the Maasin City-born Pagara can hurdle his Mexican adversary, he is a shoo-in for a world title fight.
* * *
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers made it! A healthy Big Three - James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love - resurrected the Cavs from a 1-3 near-death to a record breaking Game 7 victory and the first NBA title for Cleveland.
The team began as an NBA expansion team in 1970 and after 46 years finally they became NBA champions. The last time Cleveland won a major sporting title was 52 years ago in 1964 by its football team the Browns in the National Football League.
It's party time in Cleveland - once called by ESPN as a cursed sports city due to a long drought - as the Cavs came home with the champion trophy.
Photo: Prince Albert Pagara (L) connects to the jaw of Raul Hirales.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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