From left, ALA Boxing Gym trainer Edmund Villamor, ALA Boxing Gym boxer Jeo Santisima, Albert Pagara, Maasin City Vice Mayor Maloney Samaco, Jason Pagara and ALA Promotions matchmaker Edito Villamor at the presser for the Pinoy Pride 44 at the St. Mark Hotel. / Glendale Rosal
ALA Boxing Gym’s bet to face Ghana’s Odoi for WBO Intercontinental Jr. featherweight title
Prince Albert Pagara can’t contain his excitement as he prepares to face a tough foe in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 44 boxing series in Maasin City, Southern Leyte, on June 9.
Pagara, one of ALA Boxing Gym’s top prospect, will fight Ghana’s Laryea Gabriel Odoi for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental junior featherweight title.
“What makes this fight special is that it will be held in my hometown,” said the 24-year-old Pagara, who is from Maasin City, during the launching of Pinoy Pride 44 at the St. Mark Hotel yesterday. “I can’t contain my excitement and happiness for this opportunity. That is why I will do my best to win this fight.”
This is the third Pinoy Pride fight card that Pagara will be fighting in the main event.
His first was in 2016, where he faced Nicaraguan Yesner Talavera and won by unanimous decision.
His second was a loss to Mexican slugger Cesar Juarez in the same year in San Mateo, California.
“I learned from that fight the hard way but it is not over,” Pagara, who has 29 wins, (20 by knockout) and a single defeat, said. “I will continue fighting until I become a world champion someday.”
Odoi has a record of 20 wins, (14 by knockout), three defeats, and two draws.
Joining him during the presser was his older brother, 29-year-old Jason “El Niño” Pagara, who is aiming to make a comeback following his technical knockout loss to Japanese Hiroki Okada last December 19, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan, for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight strap.
ALA Boxing Gym’s knockout artist Joe “Santino” Santisima was also present during the launching along with ALA Boxing Gym head trainer Edmund Villamor, ALA Promotions international matchmaker Edito Villamor, and former Maasin City mayor and current vice mayor Maloney Samaco.