AFTER weeks of pondering, world-rated super bantamweight Prince Albert Pagara finally makes up his mind and inks a pact with MTK Global and UAE-based D4G Promotions.
“Yes, I signed with them,” Pagara told SunStar Cebu. “They will build me up and make me a big name. They are a big company and they have the capacity to promote a world title fight for me. That’s really my dream, to be a world champion.”
Pagara received a lot of offers from different promoters around the world like Japan, Australia and Mexico. However, he felt that signing with MTK Global and D4G Promotions was his best option.
“The Filipino market is one we’ve been interested in for a long time so it is a pleasure to announce Albert Pagara as our first signing from the country. He is a fantastic addition to our super bantamweight stable where he sits high in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings alongside Michael Conlan, Thomas Patrick Ward and Davey Oliver Joyce,” said MTK Global chief strategy officer Paul Gibson in a statement, officially welcoming Pagara to the global promotional outfit. “We were very sorry to hear our friends at ALA Promotions were forced to close but we are determined to work with Filipino stars like Albert and help take them to the next level.”
The 26-year-old Pagara became a free agent after ALA Promotions and ALA Boxing Gym announced that it will cease all its operations after 35 years in the business.
Pagara was one of ALA Boxing’s top talents, along with four-division world champion Donnie Nietes, former world champion Milan Melindo, Jeo Santisima, Melvin Jerusalem, Jonas Sultan and KJ Cataraja.
“We’re thrilled to announce the signing of Albert Pagara, and we’re confident that by working with MTK Global we can help him achieve his dream of becoming world champion,” said D4G Promotions’ Ahmed Seddiqi. “He’s an extremely exciting talent, and we’re looking forward to seeing him showcase his skills when he returns to the ring in the near future.”
Pagara is still one of the most promising fighters from the Philippines. He’s currently rated No. 7 in the WBO super bantamweight division. He has a record of 32-1 with 23 knockouts.
Pagara has a tentative ring return and debut with his new promoters on Dec. 5, 2020.
“My fight will be on Dec. 5 but that’s not set yet. They have given me the freedom to choose when I’ll be ready to fight because I’m a little bit heavy right now,” he said.
Pagara last saw action on Aug. 17, 2019 in Pinoy Pride 46 in Ormoc City. He destroyed Thai Ratchanon Sawangsoda in a single round in one of the featured fights of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports’ final Pinoy Pride show.