JASON Pagara was once projected as a future star in boxing but somehow never lived up to everybody’s expectations. The 26-year-old Pagara has had some weight issues and lackluster performances lately. He just had one fight in 2018 and was 12 pounds over the limit when he took on Wellem Reyk in Maasin City.
Despite the recent low in his career, Pagara is ready to turn over a new leaf and finally reach his full potential with a new handler and a new gym.
“For me, I think it’s my time. I want to fight outside (the country) because the experience I had here is very hard. This is my time. I’ll do everything for my family,” Pagara told SunStar Cebu.
Pagara has now parted ways with his former handler, ALA Promotions, after his contract with them expired. He signed a three-year managerial contract with US-based Morris East.
Pagara is slowly trimming down his weight and getting back in shape at the Cebu City Sports Center boxing gym, along with another former ALA boy in AJ Banal, in preparation for a fight in the US possibly in March.
“For now, I’m still training on my own. A lot of us are training there, Dave Peñalosa, Raymond Empic and Banal,” said Pagara.
Pagara was once at the top of the world ranking, rating No. 1 in the World Boxing Organization light welterweight division, but somehow he never got his world title shot. He is 41-3-1 with 26 knockouts.
Though he has fallen out of the world rankings, Pagara is optimistic that he’ll be able to get back up and finally reach his ultimate dream of becoming a world champion.
“I think I still have a chance. I just need to train and discipline myself. I’m still young, I’m still 26. That’s why I need to work hard right now.” EKA