Wednesday, May 21, 2008 ‘Future of RP boxing is named Pagara’
WILL he be the next boxing sensation?
The youngest acquisition of the famed ALA Gym, the 16-year-old Jason Pagara, will face the greatest test of his professional career in his debut fight as an ALA boy against Indonesian Heri Andrianto for the vacant World Boxing Organization Youth lightweight crown in the fight card dubbed “One More Time” on May 31 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Idols
A native of Cagayan de Oro City, Pagara started boxing at eight years old. His love for boxing grew while watching his heroes, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and AJ “Banal, rise up to the boxing scene.
He started his professional debut with a unanimous decision victory over fellow first timer Tata Tadena in their four-rounder in Jagna, Bohol in Sept 29, 2006.
He went on to dominate the local boxing scene by dethroning the Philippine Federation lightweight champion Rey Anton Olarte by unanimous decision in Aug 26, 2007 in Cagayan de Oro. He also defeated veteran journeymen like Pedro Malco, Melvin Ayudtud and Dondon Lapuz.
Record
He was only defeated once in his professional career and that was by Olarte in their non-title rematch last Dec 2, 2007 in the Araneta Coliseum in Manila.
If Pagara wins his upcoming battle with Andrianto (11-3-1, 7 KO’s), he will be ALA Gym’s youngest regional champion ever.
Pagara has an outstanding professional record of 13 wins and 1 loss with 7 KO’s.
The highlight for the “One More Time” fight card will be the must-win fight of International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental super flyweight titleholder Z “The Dream” Gorres (27-2-2, 15 KO’s) against Universal Boxing Organization titlist Nick Otieno (15-1,5 KO’s) and the comeback fight of former World Boxing Council flyweight kingpin Malcolm “Eagle Eye” Tuñacao (21-2-3, 14 KO’s) against Tanzania Professional Boxing champion Rashid Ally(11-9-7, 2 KO’s).
Tickets for “One More Time” are now available at ALA Gym BTC (4162011), Islands Souvenirs Ayala (2312581) and SM City Cebu (2321906), and Bisaya Ispisyal Ayala (2312676) and SM City Cebu (2320610). (EKA)
