PAGARA, SERVANIA, JACA HEADLINE PINOY PRIDE XX ON MAY 25
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Apr 2013
CEBU CITY ? There?s no stopping ?Pinoy Pride?. The stunning losses suffered by the established stars of the ALA Gym has fired up the next batch of younger fighters to work harder to turn things around.
For the 20th edition of the ?Pinoy Pride? series, Jason ?El Ni?o? Pagara (30-2, 19KO?s) will defend his WBO International light welterweight title against Mexico?s Aaron ?La Hoya? Herrera (25-1, 17 KO?s) at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on May 25.
?Andam na kaayo ko. Nanginit na pud ko,? Pagara said during the press conference held Monday at the St. Mark?s Hotel. (I am ready and I am raring to fight.)
When asked if vengeance is on his mind after stable mate Rey Bautista lost to Jose Ramirez of Mexico in Davao City last Saturday, Pagara replied, ?Sobra pa sa panimalos.? (It will be more than revenge.)
Pagara has stopped his last three opponents ? Frans Yaranga of Indonesia (TKO2), Rosbel Montoya of Mexico by 6th round TKO in their rematch last August and the previously undefeated Miguel Antoine of Barbados (KO1). Pagara?s rematch with Montoya, who beat him on points last September 10,2011, was the top-grossing Pinoy Pride event on television last year. This was Pagara?s first stint as a headliner.
Pagara is ranked number 3 by the WBO in their April 2013 rankings.
A familiar name on Herrera?s record is Joksan Hernandez, who lost by unanimous decision to Herrera last year. His latest win was against Jorge Pimentel, who was stopped in one round last November. In 2011, Pimentel was knocked out by Mercito Gesta in three rounds.
Also set to see action is the undefeated Genesis ?Azukal? Servania (19-0, 7 KO?s) who will face Isaac Junior of Indonesia (20-3-2, 8 KO?s)in a ten round non-title contest.
ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer said that they have received a letter from Top Rank Promotions expressing their interest for Servania to fight in a Top rank card, possibly in July.
Servania said that he is very excited that he has caught the eye of Top Rank executives and he is looking forward to fighting abroad in a big card.
Crafty veteran Jimrex ?Executioner? Jaca (37-6-3, 21 KO?s) will go for the WBO Oriental lt.welterweight title and a world ranking when he clashes with Mexico?s Jose Emilio Perea (22-2, 14 KO?s).
Jaca promised to be more dedicated in keeping his weight down. His weight problems are well known here in Cebu but his natural boxing ability has given him a nine fight winning streak. Perea once held the WBC Fecarbox lightweight title.
Promoter Michael Aldeguer stated that the visiting Mexican fighters are from the same stable as Ramirez. He emphasized that ? ?Pinoy Pride? is the pride of all Filipinos, not just the ALA gym.?
?We want to sign up other fighters for the Pinoy Pride cards,? Aldeguer said, ?Pinoy Pride is here to keep boxing alive in the Philippines.?
Aldeguer also thanked the Cebu sports media in attendance for their support, ? We want to build up Cebu as a boxing mecca. We are proud of being Cebuanos. We would not be where we are if it wasn?t for the media support.?
The other big name boxer from the ALA Gym, AJ Banal, who lost in his world title attempt last year, is due for a ring return this August in the U.S. when ALA Promotions will stage a fight card in San Diego, California.
They also plan to set up a gym in California. Pagara and Jaca have difficulty finding sparring partners in their weight category here in Cebu. Traveling to the U.S. will expose them to the tough Latino boxers and will go a long way in their learning process.
Top photo (L-R): Jimrex Jaca, Jason Pagara and Genesis Servania pose during Monday's presscon at St. Mark's Hotel in Cebu City announcing 'Pinoy Pride XX' on May 25 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
L-R: Trainer Edito Villamor, Genesis Servania, ALA President Michael Aldeguer, Jason Pagara and Jimrex Jaca during Monday's presscon.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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