PP42 Clash for Glory: Jason Pagara Risks WBO World Ranking Against Onyango Today @ the Waterfront Cebu
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 16 Sep 2017
A wrong move at the wrong time and you could take a big left... or a costly defensive mistake against the ropes and you could get pinned badly. Many things could happen when world-ranked Filipino 140-pounder Jason "El Ni?o" Pagara climbs the ring for his scheduled 10-rounder war against experienced Kenyan fighter James Onyango (23-11, 19 KO's) in the co-main event of "Pinoy Pride 42: Clash for Glory" tonight Saturday (Sep 16) at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino here in Cebu, Philippines.
The 29-year-old Filipino weighed-in at 147 lbs, during the official weigh-in ceremony that took place Friday noon at SM City Cebu; while Onyango scaled-in at 145 lbs., as recorded by GAB Cebu supervisor Mr. Rolando "Lando" Mendoza. The contracted weight for the battle was 146 lbs.
Both fighters looked in excellent shape during the weigh-in and face-off, as well as similar in height and reach; and they are both orthodox fighters who battle with left leg forward and throw the left jab.
However, not surprisingly the hard-hitting Jason Pagara (40-2, 25 KO's), who is currently ranked as world's # 3 Jr. Welterweight by the WBO is the big favorite to dominate the unheralded Onyango.
But the African warrior is in no short supply of confidence and willingness to scalp with the popular Pagara to deprive him of his coveted WBO world rank, a rank in the weight class where the current undisputed king is Terrence Crawford (32-0, 23 KO's)
"Pagara is not invincible and we know how to beat him," said veteran Kenyan boxing manager Mr. Paul Akoth during the weigh-in. "We did not come all the way from Kenya to leave empty handed. What we want is the world-ranking and my boxer James Onyango is going to fight like a lion for it.
"A big surprise awaits for Pagara," ended saying the colorful and ever positive Mr. Akoth, who was wearing dark sunglasses inside the mall and looked like the legendary musician Ray Charles.
So the questions are: will the visiting African boxer James Onyango - who is five years older than Pagara - do the unthinkable, which is to rock and shock Pagara to drop all jaws and generate the hugest silence the Waterfront ballroom has ever seen?
Or will Jason "El Ni?o" Pagara score another thrilling knockout win to excite his many fans and keep intact his world-ranking en route to a world title fight?
In boxing anything is possible, and there is only one way to know.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Tickets for Pinoy Pride 42: Clash For Glory are still available at all ALA Gym Boxing Fitness branches, selected RD Pawnshops branches, Ayala Concierge Booth, First 5 Sports Lounge & Cafe, and at the Waterfront Cebu City.
General Admission free-seating balcony ticket price costs 300 pesos.
Pinoy Pride 42 Melindo vs Budler in "Clash for Glory" is a production of ALA Sports Promotions International.
The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a boxing writer, reporter and photographer based in Cebu, Philippines. For all boxing things you can contact Carlos at email carlos512@hotmail.com, in Facebook or to his cp # +639184538152. "All For the love of Boxing."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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