HE said he has forgiven himself and is now taking on a new journey with a whole new perspective. He said the hunger is back and he will show that on July 8.
Presenting, the new “Prince” Albert Pagara.
Almost a year since his first ever defeat as a professional boxer, the 23-year old power-punching native of Maasin City, Leyte said he is now more determined than ever to get his hands on what every boxer covets – a world boxing crown.
Young, wild and reckless, Pagara stepped in the ring that fateful night of July 9, 2016 against Mexican Cesar Juarez (20-5-0,15KOs) in a fight card promoted by ALA Promotions International in San Mateo, California.
Pagara floored Juarez in the first round and was cruising in the ensuing rounds when the fateful eighth round came where the Mexican knocked him out.
“It was shocking and very painful for me because I was really winning that fight,” Pagara told CDN. “After that I took time to reflect and looked back on where I made my mistakes. I learned a lot of lessons from that loss but it was never easy to get over with it. A lot of people noticed in my comeback fight that it was not the old Albert Pagara they were watching.”
And the fans noticed too as boos and jeers accompanied the announcement that he won via unanimous decision over African Reymond Commey last November at the Cebu Coliseum.
At 23 years old, time is clearly on the side of the young ALA Boxing Stable ace who’s record of 27 wins, one loss with 18 knockouts, is still enough to send shivers down the spine of even the most fearless fighters.
“They want to see the old Albert Pagara? Come watch my fight on July 8. They will see the old warrior they once idolized and I will make sure that I will be triumphant that night,” said Pagara.
Pagara showed flashes of his intimidating self in a three-round sparring session with fellow ALA stablemate Jeo “Santino” Santisima Friday night at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds to promote Pinoy Pride 41 on July 8.
Pagara will face Indonesian Waldo Sabu (12-8-0, 2KOs) in a 10-round undercard tussle of PP41: The New Generation of Warriors at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.