Pinoy Pride 39 fighters (from left) “Prince” Albert Pagara, Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and Jason Pagara pose for press photographers during the press launch of the explosive card slated on Nov. 26, 2016 at the Cebu Coliseum.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
HIS streak of 26 straight wins is over. His unblemished record is gone. It’s a virtual back to zero for Albert Pagara and he knows that if he is to reach the top again, a victory on November 26 is imperative.
“I learned a lot from my first loss. It taught me not to underestimate my opponent,” said Pagara.
Pagara, nicknamed the “Prince” will climb the ring for the first time since his first career loss, against Raymond Commey in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 39: IBF World Championship at the Cebu Coliseum.
Commey will be a huge test for Pagara as the fighter from Accra, Ghana is former world title contender. With 16 wins—nine by knockout— and two losses, Commey is a former WBA Pan African super bantamweight champion, a former Ghanaian super bantamweight king and a former West African Boxing Union super bantamweight titlist.
“He’s a good fighter. I have to do my best to beat him and climb up in the rating again,” said Pagara, who sports a record of 26W-1L-0D-18KOs.
While the eighth-round knockout loss to Mexican Cesar Juarez last July 9 in San Mateo, California was a devastating one, Pagara still believes that the future remains bright for him.
“I never got discouraged after that loss to Juarez. My family and friends encouraged me to pursue, telling me that I am still young and losing is just part of the game,” said the 22-year-old slugger.
Pagara floored Juarez in the first round but faltered late in the fight, allowing the Mexican to unleash the stunning knockout and snatching the ALA Gym star’s WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight belt.
Now the Prince is preparing for his second ascension.
“I’ve been working on my conditioning. I’m working doubly hard for this fight,” said Pagara.
Pinoy Pride 39 is headlined by Milan “El Metodico” Melindo who will fight Thailand’s Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr. (31-4-1, 16KOs) for the IBF junior flyweight world crown.