SINCE becoming a free agent following the closure of ALA Promotions, super bantamweight prospect Albert Pagara has received a ton of offers from different promoters all around the world.
Though he hasn’t fully made up his mind just yet, Pagara is in the negotiating phase with MTK Global.
“We are still negotiating,” Pagara told SunStar Cebu. “Their offer is good. They have a plan for me.”
The 26-year-old Pagara said that MTK Global showed him its plans and gave him a glimpse of what to expect if ever he signs with the company that also promotes the likes of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, Billy Joe Saunders, Carl Frampton, Josh Taylor, Terry Flanagan, Charlie Edwards and Rocky Fielding.
“They said they can let me fight for a world championship soon,” he said. “They said they will take care of me and that I will be headlining fights in Dubai.”
MTK Global also has close ties with Bob Arum’s Top Rank boxing, which has a stacked roster of possible opponents.
One of Pagara’s dream opponents, Emanuel Navarrete, is under contract with Top Rank, so a fight with him could easily be made if he signs with MTK Global.
“I want Navarrete,” he said. “I will test his skills in boxing. I want to fight him because a lot of people are saying that I can beat him. I also believe that I can beat him. I just need to train hard.”
If ever Pagara decides to sign with MTK Global, he’ll be the first Filipino fighter in its roster.
Pagara is currently rated No. 7 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), wherein the title is currently vacant. He has a record of 32-1 with 23 knockouts.
Pagara is among some of the elite fighters that have become free agents after ALA Promotions announced its closure this month.
The other ALA Boys that are currently free agents are four-division world champion Donnie Nietes, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight king Milan Melindo, highly ranked minimumweight Melvin Jerusalem, Jeo Santisima, Jonas Sultan and KJ Cataraja. (EKA)