YESNER Talavera is confident he can deliver on what he?s been talking since he arrived but super bantamweight prospect Albert Pagara (25-0, 18 KOs), believes the Nicaraguan is all talk.
Unless Talavera (15-3-1, 4 KOs) backs it up when they fight for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental super bantamweight title in the main event of Pinoy Pride 35 ? ?Stars of the Future? tomorrow night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
?It?s his problem. We?ll see on top of the ring. He has to back up his talk,? said the 22-year-old Pagara. ?For me anybody who gets hit may get knocked out. But he has to do his best and try to knock me out because if he doesn?t, it will be him who?ll get knocked out.?
A lot is at stake for Pagara in this fight, and a win should earn him a slot in the main event of ALA Promotions? second US show in July. A world title fight for Pagara is also on the horizon with a title shot against Carl Framton, Scott Quigg or even for a vacant world title.
Though facing what could be his toughest opponent, the 21-year-old Talavera remains confident with his chances.
?I?m going to win. In every way I?m going to win. I respect Albert as a great champion that?s why I?m very motivated to win,? he said. ?I don?t see any reason I won?t knock out my opponent.?
Mark Magsayo (12-0, 10 KOs), on the other hand, thinks that it?ll be another day in the job for him. He doesn?t see Eduardo Montoya (17-4-1, 13 Kos) beating him in their 10-round WBO Youth featherweight title fight.
?I?m very excited with this fight. After this one it will be (Chris) Avalos? turn,? he said. ?If there?s an opportunity to knock him out I?ll knock him out.?
The 20-year-old Magsayo is being groomed to face former world title challenger Chris Avalos in ALA Promotions? and Top Ranks? co-promoted show on April 23 in Cebu City.
Montoya, however, hopes to spoil Magsayo?s road to stardom.
?Well, I also came here well prepared and very confident,? said the 22-year-old Mexican.
Former amateur standout Kevin Jake Cataraja (2-0, 2 KOs) and Mexican Tony Rodriguez (3-1, 1 KO) both promised their fight to be an exciting war, wherein one of them will end up on the canvas.
?I came here to win and if God permits, I?ll knock him out,? said Rodriguez.
?It?ll rain knockouts,? said Cataraja. ?He came here to my home and I?ll show him what I?ve got.?
The undercard is stacked with what should be very exciting fights.
Undefeated Melvin Jerusalem (8-0, 7 KOs) gets his stiffest test in former International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight king Florante Condes (27-9-1, 23 KOs); Jeo Santisima (8-2, 7 KOs) slugs it out with fellow heavy-hitter Marco Demecillo (21-4-1, 16 KOs); Elmo Traya (10-1, 8 KOs) trades leathers with crafty veteran Romeo Jackosalem (16-11-1, 8 KOs); three-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Muhammad Ridhwan makes his pro debut against undefeated Melchor Roda (3-0, 3 KOs); and Esneth Domingo (1-0, 1 KO) locks horns with Vic Ejercito (0-1).
