Pagara eyes convincing victory in Pinoy Pride 41

PINOY PRIDE 41 PRESSCON/JUNE 28, 2017 “Prince” Albert Pagara and Jeo “Santisimo” Santisima of Ala Boxing during the presscon at the Social in Ayala Center Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

Two of ALA Boxing Gym’s top pugs, “Prince” Albert Pagara and Jeo “Santino” Santisima, made some interesting revelations in a press conference at The Social in Ayala Center Cebu for their upcoming fights in the Pinoy Pride 41: New Generation Warriors.

The fight is slated July 8 at the Ic3 Convention Center in Cebu City.

The 23-year-old Pagara (27-1-0, 18KOs) faces Aekkawee Kaewamanee (16-9-0, 6KOs) of Thailand in a 10-round non-title bout in the undercard.

Pagara admitted he has been very hungry for a stellar comeback following his knockout loss to Mexican Cesar Juarez in San Mateo, USA in July of last year.

He said that loss really devastated him.

“I stopped training, I gained weight and I almost went back to Maasin City to quit boxing,” Pagara said. “But my parents told me— especially my father—to continue my career. He told me that I am still young and he really believed in me that I can bounce back from that loss.”

Pagara did win in his comeback fight four months after that loss, beating African Reymond Commey via unanimous decision in Cebu City.

But many think that was not enough. So this may be his chance to show what he really is made of.

“Right now I have completely overcome that loss. I got over it already. I will win this fight, I am very sure of that because I am confident with my training and my skills.”

Lesson learned

Santisima, meanwhile, learned a lesson in his previous performance at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel last April against Indonesian Master Suro.

Santisima walked away with a unanimous decision victory against Suro but many thought he could have done better.

He had a reason for his so-so performance.

“I bought a new pair of socks because it looked good and I wanted to look good in my fight. But instead, it became a distraction during the fight because it was very slippery,” said the 21-year-old Santisima of Masbate City.

He said he wasn’t able to throw his combinations and power punches because of the slippery socks.

Santisima said he will use his old pair of socks in his upcoming fight, especially since he is facing an unbeaten Tanzanian boxer in Goodluck Mrema (16-0-0, 8KOs).