DAVAO CITY, Philippines ? With a world title shot looming in his horizon, Jason ‘El Nino’ Pagara (34-2, 21KOs) is aiming for no less than a knockout victory when he defends his WBO International junior welterweight title against Cesar ‘El Dolar’ Chavez (23-7, 11KOs) of Mexico in the main event of the ‘Pinoy Pride 29: Fists of Fury? tonight at the University of Southern Eastern Philippines gymnasium here.
The 25-year-old Pagara is cognizant of the fact that he is in a crucial fight of his career and that he is hard-pressed to make an impression to prove he’s ready for the bigger stage.
“He (Chavez) said that there will be an upset, but it’s not going to happen because I am ready to win by knockout,” said Pagara, who tipped in the scales at 138 lbs, one pound lighter than his Mexican opponent. “If I can finish him in two rounds, then it would be good.”
A win will surely boost Pagara’s chances of getting a crack at the vacant WBO crown especially now that he’s ranked No.4 by the WBO.
“I am ready anytime (for a world title fight) and I don’t care who my oppont will be. I am here to prove that I am also a force to reckon with in this division,” said the pride of Cagayan De Oro City.
For his part, ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer revealed that a victory will assure Pagara of a fight in the United States this May in what will be their maiden Pinoy Pride show in the lucrative US boxing market.
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“He needs to win this one because he is in line for a fight in San Diego, California on May 23 and he will be on the main event,” said Aldeguer.
“A fight in the US plus he will stay there for a training and from there, we will look into the possibility of a world title shot for Jason,” he added.
In the equally-exciting supporting main event, another ALA world title hopeful in Genesis ‘Azucal’ Servania (25-0, 11KOs) also guns for a decisive win as he puts his WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight throne on the line against Luis ‘Perla Negra’ Hernandez (17-3, 9KOs).
“I am 100% ready and I want him to feel my power,” said the Bacolod City-native boxer.
On the other hand, ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (26-0, 14KOs) hopes to hurdle the toughest test of his career against former world champion Julio Cesar ‘Pingo’ Miranda (38-11, 29KOs) in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
“I admire my opponent because he is a veteran fighter and a former world champion,” said Villanueva. “But I am also inspired in beating him and to show what I can really do in my division.”
In the undercards of the slambang card presented by ALA Promotions International in partnership with ABS-CBN Sports, rising star Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo (9-0, KOs) will slug it out with the more experienced Sukkasem Kietyongyuth (13-3, 8KOs) of Thailand, while Arjan ‘Spartan’ Canillas (9-0-2, 7KOs) will trade leathers with Indonesian Stevi Ongen Ferdinandus (15-7, 8KOs). (FREEMAN)
