MANILA, Philippines – Three promising Filipino fighters will make their US debut with WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes in the Pinoy Pride 33 card at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California, on Oct. 17 with ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN teaming up to stage the first-ever Filipino bill on American soil.
Superbantamweight Albert Pagara, superlightweight Jason Pagara and featherweight Mark Magsayo are now training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles with the goal of creating a stir to impress Top Rank chairman Bob Arum into giving them a chance for a future pay-per-view event.
The Pagara brothers are from Cagayan de Oro and learned how to box from their father Reynaldo, a mason by profession. Albert began boxing at 9 and dominated the amateur ranks with victories at the National Open and Palarong Pambansa before turning pro in 2011 at 16. Jason was 8 when he started to box and turned pro in 2006 at 14.
Albert, 21, has a 24-0 record, with 17 KOs while Jason, 23, is 36-2, with 22 KOs. They made their overseas debut in Dubai last August. Now, they?re invading the US and a big win will open up doors for the brothers. Albert will take on Nicaragua?s William Gonzalez while Jason battles Santos Benavides, also of Nicaragua. Gonzalez? record is 27-5, with 23 KOs, and Benavides? mark is 25-7-2, with 19 KOs.
Magsayo, 20, has an 11-0 record, with 9 KOs, and it?s his first fight abroad. He?ll be tested by Mexico?s Yardley Suarez who?s also unbeaten with a 13-0 mark, including 8 KOs.
?I?m not nervous,? said Albert in Pilipino. ?I?m excited. In Dubai, I hardly perspired. I knocked out Jesus Rios in one round, I don?t know much about Gonzalez but I?m prepared to do what it takes to win. My toughest opponent so far was Mexican Raul Hirales whom I beat on points over 12 rounds last year. I prefer an opponent who comes forward because I like to engage.?
