Albert Pagara with the IBF belt. | Photo from Pagara’s Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Newly-crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asia lightweight champion “Prince” Albert Pagara clapped back at his bashers who lambasted him for not knocking out Chinese Aketelieti Yelejian during their fight in Passi City, Iloilo, last June 15.
After a two-year layoff, Pagara returned to the ring and beat Yelejian via a close majority decision. The scores were 96-94 from two judges for Pagara, while the third judge had it 95-all.
Despite winning, the 30-year-old Pagara who once was one of the top prospects in his division during the heydays of the ALA Boxing Gym wasn’t spared of the ridicule from Filipinos on social media.
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Some even went to the extent of accusing him of being favored by the judges via hometown decision, while some believed the visiting Chinese boxer should have won.
Meanwhile, some fans criticized Albert Pagara for being sluggish and for his subpar performance.
Pagara didn’t let this uncalled ridicule pass as he also spoke on behalf of many Filipino boxers who were constantly being attacked by their countrymen who were dissatisfied with their performance.
“Akong masulti nila, wala sila kahibaw sa rules sa boxing ug basin siguro dili sila gusto nga ma champion ko ug balik, mao na ang buhat sa mga bashers” said Pagara.
“Wala ko makasabot ana nila, mapildi ta ma bash ta, modaog ta ma bash gihapon ta. Unsa naman intawn ni, asa ta mo lugar ani? Bisag muna-muna natong ginhawa maka daog lang ta para makabalos tas ilang gipangbuhat sa atong West Philippine Sea, dili pa gyud sila malipay? Ginuo ko aning mga Pilipino uy,” Pagara lamented on his social media post.
Despite this, Albert Pagara said that he is very thankful to come off from the 2-year inactivity and even credited his opponent, Yelejian for giving him one of the toughest fights of his career.
“grabe jud akong duwa atong June 15. Maayo akong kontra mao na akong gusto kanang dili ko tagaan bisan usa ka round kanang mosukol jud, ligas ra gyud mi,” Pagara stated.
“Nag expect na gyud ko nga maayo akong kontra, pag send lang nila daan sa Boxrec niya nga record, naka ana ko maayo mo duwa. Mao siya gyud gipili para nako kay nindot ang duwa, wala ko mag mahay kay naabot jud mi ug round, pero naglisud sad ko kay two years nako wala ka duwa.”
Albert Pagara improved to 35 wins with 24 knockouts and one defeat. Yelejian dropped to an 8-4-1 (win-loss-draw) with two knockouts.