PAGARA IS READY TO RUMBLE AGAINST ANTOINE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Oct 2012
Everything is all set for the WBO international lightwelterweight championship during the Pinoy Pride XVII at the SM Mall of Asia on October 20, 2012. Jason Pagara is ready to rumble against undefeated Miguel Antoine of Barbados.
Pagara is now rated No. 7 by the World Boxing Organization in the whole world aside from being its international champion. His confidence was boosted when he stopped his tormentor the tough Mexican Rosbel Montoya in a rematch.
With a pro record of 29-2-0 with 18 KO?s, Pagara has fought a total of 179 rounds with a knockout rate of 58.06%. On the other hand, Antoine has a record of 17-0-1 with 9 KO?s and 50% KO rate in 82 rounds boxed.
The Caribbean champion is also positive of victory and even aiming at a fight with Manny Pacquiao. Nicknamed ?Hands of Stone? like the legendary Roberto Duran, it remains to be seen though if he could follow the Panamian?s exploits.
I visited Jason in one of his training sessions at the ALA Gym in Nasipit, Banilad, Cebu City before they departed for Manila. He was in deep serious preparation for the fight dubbed as ?Philippines versus The World.?
Antonio L. Aldeguer, the ALA Gym Founder and Cebu?s boxing patriarch, said Jason?s career is on the rise. It was proven during the recent victory at the Waterfront Hotel. ?But he should always work hard because it?s the parallel to success,? stressed Aldeguer.
Pagara is now in the National Capital Region together with AJ ?Bazooka? Banal, Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista, Michael ?Bruce Lee? Domingo, Marlon ?Nightmare? Tapales, and the rest of the entourage. All five of them will fight foreign rivals in the first championship fight at The Arena.
?Jason is very much prepared to face his opponent and has been practicing religiously to give honor to the country,? said trainer Edito Villamor through a phone call from Manila. When asked about Pagara?s chances against the undefeated Caribbean champion, Villamor added, ?He has a great chance of winning and retaining his WBO international title.
Albert Pagara said his brother would give all his best for our country. ?Jason trained hard for this bout and he knows his future in boxing is at stake.? It was Jason who inspired Albert to follow him at the ALA gym.
If he hurdles his Barbadian foe, Pagara will have a chance to train in the United States under Robert Garcia, the trainer of WBO and Ring superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire. This is the incentive that ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer will be preparing for ?El Ni?o? for a successful WBO international title defense.
His father Reynaldo Pagara is now employed at the Maasin City Hall as a trainer of amateur boxers alongside regular coach Ramil Entia. The elder Pagara said, ?Jason will win against his fight against his foreign challenger in Manila. But he should not be over confident because his rival is undefeated.?
Photo: Jason Pagara (R) poses with the author.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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