MAASIN City Native and current WBO Youth Inter-continental super bantamweight champion “Prince” Albert Pagara is set to face former world champion Juan Carlos Sanchez in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 35 on Feb. 27, 2016 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Promoter Michael Aldeguer, the CEO of ALA Promotions International, told Cebu Daily News they decided to choose the former world super flyweight champion Sanchez of Mexico to fight the 21-year-old Pagara to further prepare the Filipino for a chance of a world title fight.
“He was rated number three until he lost in a close decision to Cesar Juarez, the opponent of Nonito Donaire Jr., for the number one spot in the rankings. Albert (Pagara) needs to go through tough opponents and Sanchez should give him the test he needs,” said Aldeguer.
Juarez lost to Donaire Jr. in an epic 12-round showdown in Puerto Rico for the WBO super bantamweight world title. Juarez and Sanchez fought for the WBO International super bantamweight title last July in Sinaloa, Mexico, where the former won via a 12-round unanimous decision.
Sanchez is 24 years old and holds a record of 20 wins with nine knockouts along with four losses and one draw. He became a world champion when he won over Roberto Domingo Sosa for the vacant IBF super flyweight title via unanimous decision in 2013. He knocked out former world champion Rodel Mayol of Mandaue City.
Pagara holds a record of 25 wins with 18 knockouts and has yet to taste defeat.