Top Rank invites Pagara

AMERICAN boxing promoter Bob Arum has shown interest in the talent of 18-year-old phenom Jason Pagara as his promotional outfit, Top Rank, invited the promising prospect to train in Las Vegas.

ALA Promotions, Pagara’s handler, recently received an invitation from Top Rank, through matchmaker Brad Goodman, to train in the US for possible future fights there.

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Although it isn’t clear when or if Top Rank will ever schedule a bout for Pagara, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer is honored by the mere fact that the US-based company is paying attention to their young talent.

“We haven’t discussed a fight yet. We are taking it one step at a time,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. “Top Rank inviting Jason, is something we should be thankful for.”

Aldeguer said Pagara’s name was already mentioned to Top Rank by Tony Martin, ALA Promotions director for international affairs, last year. Top Rank invited Pagara this year after receiving a clip of his recent second-round stoppage victory over Korean Young Bin Kim in Bohol.

Pagara’s fellow stablemate, Mark Jason Melligen, also started sparring in the US. He was given a couple of fights by Top Rank before being signed by the company after his impressive victories in the US and in Mexico.

“We want Jason to go to the next level in training. He’s going to spar with some of the best fighters in the world. We hope Jason will live up to the expectations of Top Rank,” said Aldeguer.

Pagara will be training at Mayweather’s Gym in Las Vegas along with Melligen.

He has an impressive slate of 23-1 with 12 knockouts and has held the World Boxing Organization Asia-PacificYouth lightweight crown.