PAGARA-ONYANGO ENDS IN SPLIT DRAW

CEBU CITY ? It appeared to be another early end for Jason 'El Nino' Pagara's opponent as Pagara dished out punishment to visiting James Onyango of Kenya in the first five rounds sending Onyango to the canvas two times, once in the second and once in the fifth round, along the way but Onyango dominated Pagara in the 2nd half of the fight to earn a split draw in there 10-round welterweight bout at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino here Saturday night.

Scores: Edward Ligas 114-114 draw, Edgar Olalo ? 114-113 for Oyango and Arnie Nareja 115-113 for Pagara.

Beginning in the 6th round, Onyango, like a zombie who refuses to die, came alive and peppered Pagara with swinging lefts and right almost connecting at will exposing Pagara's utter lack of defense. In the 8th round, Onyango opened a cut to Pagara's left eyebrow that bloodied Pagara's face until the end of the fight. To Pagara's credit he remained himself standing until the final bell.

Pagara, 29, from Cagayan de Oro City and highly rated by the WBO in the junior welterweight division has now a record of 40 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. Onyangco, 34, from Nairobi, Kenya, is now 23-11-2 with 19 KOs.