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Philippines, 09 Jan 2026 |
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“The Predator” Jerald Paclar Motivated to Battle Khalid Yafai in Supporting Bout for Bivol-Ramírez Saturday in Abu Dhabi By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Fri, 04 Nov 2022  Looking strong and super fit, 24-year-old Filipino "Predator" Jerald Paclar (16-5-3, 9 KO's) of Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, feels motivated and more than ready for his crucial battle against British former world Champion Khalid Yafai (26-1, 13 KO's) of Birmingham, U.K., for a 10-round, non-title collision in the bantamweight division this Saturday, November 5 in awesome Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., live on DAZN. Interestingly, the well-trained "Predator" Paclar said to Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn during Thursday's presscon that he has gone thru an intense 6-month preparation camp for his rumble against the skilled former champ Yafai. The brave Paclar, born in Bukidnon, also shares that during training, he continuously sparred with his compatriot and friend former champ Jerwin Ancajas, for which he feels in optimal shape for Saturday. Indeed, Paclar looks in tip-top condition.  Paclar speaks during Thursday's presscon in Abu Dhabi. Should Jerald Paclar score the huge win over khalid Yafai Saturday in Abu Dhabi, golden doors will open wide for him, with massive opportunities going forward, including possible world title challenge in 2023. However, as we all reckon, the mission is not an easy one for the shy, lion-heart Paclar. Meanwhile, the taller, heavily-bearded 33-year-old ex-champ Khalid Yafai (خالد يافعي), born in England from Yemeni parents, has been away from the ring since early 2020 when he lost his WBA super flyweight world title to the lethal, furious fists of Nicaraguan star Román "Chocolatito" González (51-3, 41 KO's); That’s why, Yafai wants to put a resounding end to his inactivity, getting back into well-paid, world-class boxing at the expense of Paclar, whom he wants to ravage with no mercy. Can he do it? We shall see, although one factor is clear, Paclar is a warrior, going with every he I got for the win. But how has Paclar done recently? The Pinoy - who has been more active than Yafai - gets into this big stage at the plush 18,000-seat Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi after scoring a round 2nd round stoppage win over unheralded compatriot Jenuel Lauza (5-13, 5 KO's) last April at the Lungsod sa Dangcagan in Bukidnon. What a contrast. It’s amazing how life and boxing is, right? One day fighting in a barangay ring, the other day in a top world-class venue. But a year before defeating Lauza in two, Paclar suffered a loss by points to tough African warrior Yanga Sigqibo (17-1-1, 5 KO's) in South Africa. Sure, Yafai might have been away from action for nearly three years, but he is absolutely a fighter of skills and resources, a former world champion from 2016 to 2020 who made 6 world title defenses in a three-year span before Chocolatito got him and then Covid came in disrupting everything.  Sporting a huge beard and donning a muslim garb, Yafai returns to action in Abu Dhabi after his defeat to Chocolatito Gonzalez in February, 2020. It’s crystal clear, Yafai achievements in boxing are way far superior than the ones of The Predator. No surprisingly, odds are massively big against Paclar. But truly, this battle is the amazing opportunity for Paclar to shine bright, stepping up to the plate to show the world what he is made of. Yafai vs Paclar is promoted by British star promoter Eddie Hearn, director of Matchroom Boxing, live worldwide on DAZN. The weigh-in for the show unfolds Friday afternoon at the plush Casa del Mar in Abu Dhabi. Good luck to the fighters May the Best Man Win! The author, veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa of Panama, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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