Cesar Juarez of Mexico. | Top Rank photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Newly-crowned IBF Asia lightweight king “Prince” Albert Pagara wants a rematch against the fighter who inflicted the only loss in his career.
Pagara recently won the IBF regional title via a majority decision against Chinese Aketelieti Yelejian in Passi City, Iloilo, last June 15.
It was a hard-earned victory for Albert Pagara after coming off from a two-year hiatus.
Now, the former ALA Boxing Gym star sets his eyes on his tormentor, Cesar Juarez of Mexico who stained his erstwhile unbeaten record in the pro boxing scene.
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The 30-year-old Albert Pagara told CDN Digital that he and Cebuano boxing promoter Lorenzo “Chao” Sy are already planning to give him a rematch against Juarez.
“Ang plano sa panahon karon ug sa Chao Sy Promotions nga si Juarez akong puhon ikalaban sa usa ka rematch,” said Pagara.
To recall, Pagara fought Juarez in San Mateo, California in 2016. He was set to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental super bantamweight title against Juarez.
However, he ended up suffering a devastating eighth-round knockout despite knocking down Juarez in the first round. That shocking loss ended Pagara’s 26-fight winning streak.
The knockout loss was so severe, that Albert Pagara was carried out of the ring on a stretcher
Juarez was known at that time as the fighter who gave former four-division world champion Nonito Donaire one of the latter’s toughest fights in his career.
Donaire and Juarez fought in 2015 for the WBO world super bantamweight title with the former winning by unanimous decision after the latter was decked twice in their 12-rounder bout.
For Pagara, there’s no better opponent than Juarez to make a statement in his journey towards regaining the glory in his boxing career.
Despite that lone defeat, Albert Pagara still has a formidable pro boxing record of 35 wins with 24 knockouts in his resume.
Juarez has 29 wins with 22 knockouts and 15 defeats. The 32-year-old Mexican is scheduled to fight unbeaten American prospect Maliek Montgomery on June 28 in Atlanta City, United States.