SPORTS SHORTS 245: ALBERT PAGARA, FREE ON BAIL, MAY FIGHT IN DECEMBER
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Oct 2021
Boxing trainer Edmund Villamor is hopeful that the former WBO and IBF intercontinental super bantamweight champion Albert Pagara can overwhelm his troubles and make a great comeback in his professional boxing career.
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The 27-year-old Pagara was freed on bail last September 8 after being accused of molestation. He did not comment on any media interview regarding the case.
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“I told him, Bert, all problems have a solution and you have to face it. I told him to focus because he still has a bright future. I told him not to pay attention to social media because it doesn’t do any good to you. Focus on your training," Villamor was quoted by SunStar Cebu.
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"Show everyone that you can come back, and prove that you still have a lot left in you," Villamor encouraged Pagara.
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Pagara buckled down to training with Villamor, who was once his coach at the now inoperative ALA Gym. He commenced training at the Villamor Brothers Gym on October 6, 2021 for a ring comeback most probably in December.
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“Maybe I’ll be fighting in December,” Pagara validated the proposed schedule. Villamor confirmed that if the fight will be held in Dubai, Pagara got the assurance from his lawyer that he will be able to travel outside of the country for the fight.
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“He’s focused on his training. He already talked with his attorney and said that he can fly out of the country if the fight is abroad,” added Villamor as quoted by Yahoo News.
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When ALA Promotions was closed in 2020, Pagara together with the other ALA Gym fighters became orphaned. He later signed a promotional deal with D4G Promotions and MTK Global with four-division world champion Donnie Nietes.
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Nietes later entered into a contract with Probellum, together with Nonito Donaire. Villamor, who is also the trainer for Nietes, is confident that Pagara will be well-prepared when December comes.
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“I haven’t talked with his manager, but maybe he’ll fight in December,” said Villamor. “Yes, he’ll be ready by that time. We still have lots of time to train.”
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Pagara is one of the then ALA Gym’s most hopeful rising stars. He made his professional debut on August 18, 2011, at the age of 17, defeating fellow debutante Sandy Cajil via second round TKO at the Cebu IT Park, Cebu City.
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He won 26 straight fights from 2011 to 2016. He also won the World Boxing Organization intercontinental and International Boxing Federation intercontinental super bantamweight titles.
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On July 10, 2016, Pagara suffered his first ever career loss after his durable challenger Cesar Juarez of Mexico stopped him in the 8th round, enroute to Juarez's victory in the main event of Pinoy Pride 37 in San Mateo, California.
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He recovered by winning seven straight fights after the loss. He outpointed Ghana's Raymond Commey by unanimous decision on November 26, 2016 at the Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City.
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Pagara stopped Thailand's Aekkawee Kaewmanee by 4th round KO on July 8, 2017 at the IEC Convention Center, Cebu City.
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He annihilated Tanzania's Mohammed Kambuluta by 2nd round KO on November 25, 2017 at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym, Tagbilaran, Bohol.
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His 31st pro fight was held in his hometown Maasin, Southern Leyte, where he dropped and stopped Ghana's Laryea Gabriel Odoi by third round TKO on June 9, 2018 at the Maasin City Gym, winning the vacant WBO intercontinental super bantamweight title.
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Pagara's next match was a first round destruction of Ghana's George Krampah by knockout on November 24, 2018 at the IEC Convention Center, Cebu City to retain his WBO intercontinental super bantamweight title.
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Then he went to Ormoc City for a first round TKO of Thailand's Ratchanon Sawangsoda on August 17, 2019 at the Ormoc Superdome in Leyte.
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Due to the pandemic and closure of the ALA Gym, Pagara became inactive. His last fight was on December 18, 2020, defeating Virgil Puton by unanimous decision at the IPI Gym Compound, Mandaue City.
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Pagara has a professional record of 33 wins and a single loss with 23 wins by knockout and 67.65% KO rate.
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Stephen Curry exploded with a 45-point magnificent performance including two late winning 3-pointers Thursday night, fueling the Golden State Warriors win over the Los Angeles Clippers in a 115-113 at San Francisco.
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The list of the Top 75 players in NBA history has been announced. After the first 50 players were named to the 75th anniversary team, the final 25 were revealed Thursday which includes superstars LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Elgin Baylor.
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The full list of Top 75 NBA Players was voted by a panel of media members, current and former players, coaches and team executives. Present Lakers teammates Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony also made the list, and likewise Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard.
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TNT defeated Magnolia, 105-93 in Game Two of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. The Tropang Giga, who also won Game One, is now two wins away from seizing their first PBA title after six years.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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