“Prince” Albert Pagara of Maasin City sends down Laryea Gabriel Odoi from Ghana. Pagara went on to win the bout via third-round tehcnical knockout. CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
After impressive TKO win, Aldeguer said Pagara wants rematch with Mexican boxer
Maasin City — Following the huge victory of “Prince” Albert Pagara over Ghanaian Laryea Gabriel Odoi to retake the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental junior featherweight title last Saturday night in Maasin City, promoter Michael Aldeguer of the ALA Promotions International is thinking about giving his ward a chance at a rematch against Mexican Cesar Juarez.
Pagara put up a sterling performance in front of his home town and won via a third-round technical knockout in the main event of the “Pinoy Pride 44: Laban Sa Leyte” at the Maasin City gymnasium.
Because of Pagara’s performance, Aldeguer, the CEO of ALA Promotions International, said his ward may be ready for that rematch.
“That was his step up fight. If he was not able to dominate Odoi, then we [would have not been] sure about our future plans for him. But he was very impressive. He outclassed Odoi. His confidence is back so he should be back in the world-class level where we expect him to be,” Aldeguer said.
The 24-year old Pagara had a blossoming career that was shut down by the hard-hitting Juarez in 2016 via an eighth-round knockout, where the WBO intercontinental junior featherweight title was at stake.
“He wants that rematch,” added Alderguer, who also revealed that they are planning to include Pagara in the undercard of the All-Filipino world title showdown between Donnie Nietes and Aston Palicte in Cebu City this August.
With the victory over Odoi, Pagara’s record improved to 30 wins with 21 knockouts and a single defeat. Odoi suffered his fourth loss against 20 wins and two draws.
He dominated the fight from the opening bell and forced Odoi’s camp to throw in the towel in the 2:30 mark of the third round.
“I brought back my old form. I was very relaxed, very happy and very confident, especially since everyone was cheering and chanting my name,” Pagara said. “It was very emotional because I took the title that I lost (in 2016),” said Pagara, who last fought in front of his hometown four years ago.
While waiting for his promoter’s decision on who to fight next, Pagara said he will try to work on his skills, mentioning that he would want to have the same style with that of WBA world super lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine.
“I want to remove my old style where I was a one-dimensional fighter. I want to move more and copy the style of Lomachenko (Vasyl). He has a great style. He’s got speed and power and absolutely great movement inside the ring,” Pagara said.
Meanwhile, Aldeguer also gave credit to Jeo “Santino” Santisima for his impressive third-round TKO victory over Thai Likit Chane for his first regional title, the WBO Oriental junior featherweight strap.
“He’s ripe for the taking,” Aldeguer said. “We saw his power and his determination.”
Santisima logged his 16th victory (14th by knockout) in his career. He also has two losses.
Chane absorbed his seventh defeat against 16 wins, 10 by knockouts.
Pagara’s older brother, Jason, also won via a third-round TKO against Indonesian Wellem Reyk in the undercard bout.
The 29-year old Pagara now has a 41W (26 KOs)-3L-1D record.
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