PRINCE Albert Pagara is heavily favored for his ring return on Saturday night, Aug. 17, 2019 against hard-hitting Thai Rachanon Sawangsoda in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 46 at the Ormoc Superdome in Ormoc City.
However, he isn’t taking his opponent lightly because this fight could more or less dictate a shot at a world title in the near future.
“This is a very important fight for me because I want to maintain my ranking in the world,” the 25-year-old Pagara told SunStar Cebu. “He has power because he has 12 knockouts in 12 wins.”
Pagara is closing in on a world title shot. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight division behind fellow Filipinos Marlon Tapales and Juan Miguel Elorde. The current WBO super bantamweight king is Emanuel Navarrete, who’s Pagara’s target.
“I’m already back to my old form. ALA (Promotions) will decide when I will be ready for a world title,” said Pagara. “I want Navarrete.”
Pagara suffered a huge setback in 2016 after suffering an eighth round knockout loss to Cesar Juarez, his first career defeat.
Pagara has won five straight fights since.
Pagara is 31-1 with 22 knockouts, while Sawangsoda is 12-3 with 12 knockouts.
Heavy-hitter Jeo Santisima (17-2, 14 KOs) is in a keep-busy fight with unheralded Indonesian Alvius Maufani (6-3-2, 3 KOs) in a 10-rounder in the co-main event.
In the undercard, one-time world title challenger Jonas Sultan (15-5, 9 KOs) locks horns with Salatiel Amit (11-6-2, 8 KOs), World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 2 rated minimumweight Melvin Jerusalem (14-2, 8 KOs) is fighting Reymark Taday (9-9-1, 4 KOs), Esneth Domingo (11-1, 6 KOs) trades leathers with Belmar Plaza (4-11-3, 2 KOs), Lorenz Ladrada (6-0-1, 2 KOs) is up against Rimon Rama (6-2-1, 4 KOs) and Jhon May Acope faces fellow newcomer Anthony Desabille. (EKA)