ALBERT Pagara and Mark Magsayo are out to prove that they are indeed the stars of the future as they gun for impressive victories tonight.
The 22-year-old Pagara defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental super bantamweight strap against Nicaraguan challenger Yesner Talavera in the main event, while the 20-year-old Magsayo takes on Mexican Eduardo Montoya for the vacant WBO Youth featherweight belt in the co-main event of Pinoy Pride 35 – ?Stars of the Future? tonight at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
The stakes are high for both Pagara and Magsayo with big fights awaiting them if they log impressive wins tonight.
?A win is very important for me because a huge fight in California awaits me,? said Pagara.
Pagara will headline ALA Promotions? second US event in July in San Francisco, California if victorious against Talavera.
Pagara is close to a world title shot, wherein ALA Promotions is looking at a possible crack at either Carl Frampton or Scott Quigg.
?I?m really ready for a world title. But I have to show a very impressive performance in this fight,? said Pagara, who is rated third in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and fourth in the WBO.
Pagara is undefeated with a 25-0 slate including 18 knockouts, while the 21-year-old Talavera is 15-3-1 with four knockouts.
Magsayo, on the other hand, wants to make a statement out of this fight.
?I want an impressive win because my next fight is very important,? said Magsayo. ?I got all the advantage in this fight because of my skills.?
A win for Magsayo will earn him a slot in the huge April 23 card at the Cebu City Sports Center headlined by Nonito Donaire Jr.?s title defense against former Olympian Zsolt Bedak.
Former world title challenger Chris Avalos could be a possible opponent in the boxing show co-promoted by ALA Promotions and Top Rank.
Magsayo is 12-0 with 10 knockouts, while the 22-year-old Montoya is 17-4-1 with 13 knockouts.
Pinoy Pride 35 – ?Stars of the Future? promises to be an exciting show that features a stacked undercard filled with promising young prospects.
