IT WILL be win or bust for 22-year-old prospect Albert Pagara as he faces what could be the stiffest test of his young career today.
Albert defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental super bantamweight crown against tough former world title challenger Cesar Juarez in a fight that should dictate his world title hopes. It will be in the main event of Pinoy Pride 37 – ?Fists of the Future? at the San Mateo Events Center in San Mateo, California.
?Albert is one of the fighters who?s been under the radar. He?s ranked no. 2 in the world by the WBO and people think he can be the next world champion. But in boxing, the only way you can find out is when they fight challengers who can give them good fights,? said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
?This fight with Juarez is a high-risk fight. It was a big decision for us and the team. With his ranking on the line, he?s been waiting for a world title shot, but the only way to know if he?s ready is for him to fight a fighter with the caliber of Juarez.?
Albert is currently rated No. 2 in the WBO, No. 4 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 10 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 7 in The Ring.
He is eager to prove that he?s the real deal and took this fight against Juarez, who gave current WBO super bantamweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. a run for his money last December in Puerto Rico. The 24-year-old Mexican, who was dropped twice, lost by unanimous decision to Donaire Jr.
Challenge
?Albert wanted this fight. Juarez gave one of the best fights against five-division World Champion Nonito Donaire Jr., so we?re looking forward to a good show. I think this is something that would define Albert as he moves on in his career. I?ve said it before, this is his make or break fight. It?s either he makes it and waits for a world title, or if he doesn?t, then it?s back to the drawing board and that?s really what it?s all about,? said Aldeguer.
Albert?s older brother, Jason Pagara (38-2, 23 KOs), faces Mexican Abraham Alvarez (21-9-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round main supporting bout.
