'PRINCE ALBERT' PAGARA EMERGES AS THE NEXT HOT ALA PROSPECT
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Jan 2012
CEBU CITY ? With hundreds of amateurs and professionals vying for recognition from the churning sweatshop known as the ALA Gym, 17 year old flyweight Albert 'Prince' Pagara emerges as the next hot prospect to watch after he demolished veteran campaigner Lowie Bantigue in an impressive fashion Sunday night at the Gaisano Country Mall carpark ALA-Cobra Sinulog boxing event.
Pagara, younger brother of junior welterweight Jason Pagara, sent Bantigue to the canvas three times, once in each round, before Referee Teddy Alivio stopped the contest after the third knockdown at 25 seconds in the third round. What was more impressive in the young Pagara's win was Bantigue (21-17-7, 12KO and currently rated No. 7 by OPBF) has the reputation of a durable and hard to beat veteran. Bantigue recently blasted two young Japanese prospects in Japan and lost a close decision to Mexican FECOMBOX flyweight champion Victor Zaleta in Chihuahua, Mexico.
The undefeated Pagara's victory Sunday night was his 10th straight and 8th inside the distance for an impressive 80% KO percentage. Pagara had his professional debut exactly a year ago at the IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City together with debuting amateur standouts Roma Rate and Boysie Sultan. So far it was Pagara who made the greater impact although Rate and Sultan remained undefeated.
Albert Pagara (C) looks at the fallen Lowie Bantigue as Referee Teddy Alivio approaches to start the count.
Pagara victorious.
?We wanted to test him this early,? says ALA President Michael Aldeguer on Pagara. ?And he showed things that we wanted to see in him. Most likely he will be fighting for a regional title belt in his next fight, either for the OPBF or the WBO. We will also put him into a televised fight to expose him to the fans during the upcoming 'Pinoy Pride' series,? added Aldeguer.
Pagara also continues the tradition of Cebu's future boxing stars having their baptism of fire at the famed Gaisano Country Mall car park. Every year since it was first held in Jan., 2003, a boxing event is held here during the Sinulog night (every third Sunday of the January). Rey 'Boom-Boom' Bautista had his debut here in 2003 and fought a couple more times later. Two division world champion Donnie Nietes, AJ Banal, Z Gorres, Rodel Mayol, Randy Suico and others all fought here.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025SMITH VS. GERMAIN WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Fri, 18 Apr 2025WBO #2 WBA #2 Mikiah Kreps on Weight in Seneca Niagara
Fri, 18 Apr 2025UFC® RETURNS TO PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY WITH BLOCKBUSER CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER
Fri, 18 Apr 2025AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION LEO ATANG SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Fri, 18 Apr 2025