IN an unexpected turn of events, ?Prince? Albert Pagara will step in for fellow unbeaten prospect Arthur Villaueva after the latter suffered a serious finger injury less than a week before the ?Pinoy Pride 9? boxing extravaganza this Saturday night at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
?It needs to be operated on since the cut was severe and it hit the nerve and tendon,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu on the status of Villanueva?s injury. ?We have decided to risk Albert Pagara. He might be too young and inexperienced but the chance is now for him to show what he can do.?
The 22-year-old Villanueva, who was scheduled to face Kenyan Shaaban Madilu, sliced his left middle finger during lunch the other day. He was rushed to Corazon Locsin-Montelibano Memorial Hospital and will be scheduled to have the damaged veins of his finger reconstructed.
Aldeguer believes that fighting this caliber of opponent is too early for the young and raw Pagara, who is just 17 years old. But the Cebuano promoter believes that this gamble is the only way to prove if the former amateur standout is the real deal.
?But we talked to him and he wants the chance to show what he can do. It could be a huge risk but it?s good for Philippine boxing to see if potential stars have it or not,? he said.
Pagara is in tiptop condition because was supposed to be in the undercard against Richard Donaire.
Pagara has an impressive slate of 7-0 with six knockouts, while the 26-year-old Madilu is 12-6-3 with six knockouts.
