Prince Albert Pagará Battles Russian Alexey Mazur for IBF ASIA Sep 12 in Kazakhstan (Long Analysis)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 Aug 2023
Former ALA star Albert Pagara is back in hot action.
The popular "Prince Albert" is set to engage in his toughest fight in years when he trades blows against unbeaten Russian lightweight Alexey Mazur.
Mazur vs Pagara for the vacant IBF Asia Lightweight will take place in 3 weeks: on Tuesday, September 12, in the City of Shymkent in Southern Kazakhstan, live on Russia's Match TV.
The hot rumble is promoted by Kazak man of boxing Yerik Jailauov of Kazakhstan's Ulan Boxing Promotions.
The 29-year-old "Prince Albert" Pagara, once one of the most promising Filipino boxers, is still a very popular fighter, especially in the Queen City of the South, Cebu.
Despite getting in some trouble with Cebu pulis two years ago, "Prince Albert" can still boast tons and tons of followers, as well as legions of loyal fans who believe that he can still climb up to the top. Can he?
His coming battle against Alexey Mazur will be the 4th time that the skilled and experienced Albert Pagara (34-1, 24 KO's), a former WBO and IBF Asia belt-holder, travels outside of his beloved Pinoyland to battle behind enemy lines.
This time, more than in any other, Albert wants to score an electrifying international IBF regional title win.
Should Pagara gets it, the win will 100% re-energize his boxing career, getting him back in the world rankings and in fans' boxing minds.
Pagara's current coach "Ping Ping" Tepora has much confident he can come out VICTORIOUS.
That’s why the two have been training with passion, commitment and focus.
In fact, it will be the experienced Tepora, who will the one to accompany and guide Prince Albert in his fast-approaching impending fighting trip to Kazakhstan
At the same time, Albert's Russian opponent, Alexey Mazur (9-0, 5 KO's), and his coach Gennady Khlobystin feel that they will be the ones to come on top on fight night.
Alexey, who is three years older than Albert, feels that he can use power to disassemble and scalp the talented Pinoy fighter born in Southern Leyte.
What will happen?
For years Albert has been living and training in the Queen City of the South, where has his fan base. But he has also trained in beautiful Palawan and other places.
If he is really focused and in shape Pagará can accomplish wonders.
So, his fans ponder, is he is in tip-top shape, as Albert has been known to balloon in weight.
Will "Prince" Albert Pagara outbox and outsmart with his trade-mark slick moves and speed against the aggressive, coming-forward warrior from the country of Vladimir Putin?
Or will it be the Russian Alexey Mazur who will be the winner on fight night in the historic City of Shymkent in Kazakhstan?
Cebu boxing fans know so well the good, the bad and the ugly about their Albert Pagara.
But how about his opponent.
I have researched, and here for you is some info about Alexey Mazur:
SHORT BIO ABOUT FIGHTER ALEXEY MAZUR:
Name in Russian: Алексей Юрьевич Мазур
Nationality: Russian
Pro Record: 9-0, 5 KO's.
Date of Birth: March 29, 1991 (age 32, three years older than Pagara)
Place of Birth: Heroic Leningrad , U.S.S.R.
Currently living and training in: Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Weight-class: Lightweight (up to 135 lbs, 61.24 kg)
Guard: Left-handed (southpaw)
Height: 5' 7"
Coach: Gennady Petrovich Khlobystin
Accomplishment: Alexey is the reigning Russian Lightweight National Champion.
That happened In his 5th professional fight in Syktyvkar. In that one rumble, Alexey won a wide unanimous decision over his experienced compatriot Tikhon Netesov to claim the vacant Russian Lightweight strap.
Alexey had a good amateur career.
Then Alexey turned pro 5 years ago in his home town of Saint Petersburg.
His first fight was a win via KO in two.
So far he has done 9 fights, all wins.
Alexey's last rumble was last month at the SK Arena in his native Saint Petersburg, Russia.
It was a lop-sided victory over unheralded fighter Carlos Cordoba from the Land of Leo Messi.
Now Alexey might think that he can also defeat Albert Pagara as easily.
But Prince Albert is by far better than Cordoba.
In fact, Mazur has never battled any warrior with the skills and boxing IQ as Albert.
Ok, Let's continue with a few more facts about Alexey's life, that you might find relevant
As amateur, Alexey fought 82 times, winning 67, losing 15 times.
Since at a young age, he got interested in sports, starting with gymnastics.
But then the got his mind into something totally different: boxing, and boxing has been his world ever since.
In his teenage years, Alexey Mazur began taking part in amateur competitions, becoming member of his country's national amateur team.
He was a good amateur boxer.
But not as awesome so as to compete in the Olympics. That is reserved for the really cream of the top.
Nevertheless, Alexey became a Russian amateur Champion, as well as bronze medalist in the World Military Games. Not bad at all!
Plus, Alexey also competed in the European Games, although losing in the very first round to the eventual silver medalist.
What do you think: Will it be "Prince" Albert Pagara the winner over Alexey?
Or will Prince Albert be defeated by the Russian former amateur standout?
If Albert loses, it would be his only second defeat in 35 battles. 24 of his wins gotten by way KO.
See? In fact, Pagará has a really awesome record!
I remember, years ago, Don Antonio L. Aldeguer, the former promoter of Prince Albert, had so much confidence in Pince Albert.
Once, Don Antonio told me in Español.: "Un dia, Albert puede ser campeón del mundo"
As if it was yesterday, I remember that Don Antonio used to get so excited each time Prince Albert, as well as his brother Jason, had a fight.
In fact, I think it was Don Antonio himself the one who gave him his nickname: "Prince Albert."
Really, the great boxing patron Aldeguer was so proud of Albert and his brother Jason.
At that time they were trained by Don Antonio and by my old hermano Edito Villamor, assisted by all their brothers of the ALA team.
As we know, ALA Promotions is no more. But sure Don Antonio still wish all the best for Prince Albert in his coming September 12 battle in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
If Pagará wins, Don Antonio will feel so happy, I am so sure of that.
Truly I think that Mazur vs Pagara is a very good fight, an excellent matchup.
The winner will be getting a fantastic boost to his boxing career.
Absolutely yes, the winner would not only get the coveted IBF Lightweight Asia Title, but also a place in the world-rankings.
Who do you think will that winner be on September 12 in Kazakhstan?
May the Best Man Win!
The author, senior boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama, has lived in the Philippines and Thailand since 1991. Boxing is the passion of his life. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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