UNBEATEN American junior featherweight contender Jessie Magdaleno (23-0, 17KOs) has pulled out from the undercard of Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr’s title defense on April 23 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
ALA Promotions International CEO Michael P. Aldeguer said thet Magdaleno will be replaced by reigning WBO international super lightweight champion Jason “El Niño” Pagara (32-2, 23KOs).
Magdaleno, Aldeguer revealed, is reportedly focused on his other bouts this year.
The much-anticipated card will have Donaire defending his WBO super bantamweight crown against Hungarian challenger Zsolt Bedak.
The 27-year old Pagara will fight in a 10-round, non title bout against a still unnamed, but high quality foe, Aldeguer said.
Pagara has been fighting in two non-title bouts already in Dubai UAE and the United States. “Jason Pagara will take Magdaleno’s place in the undercard along with Mark Magsayo who will be fighting Chris Avalos,” added Aldeguer.
Aldeguer and ALA Promotions International partner with Top Rank Promotions of Bob Arum and media giant ABS-CBN in this major fight card.
Pagara last fought in October against Mexican Santos Benavidez in ALA Promotions International’s first fight card in the U.S. where he scored a knock out victory.
He is currently ranked the No. 1 in the WBO super lightweight division with Terrence Crawford as champion. Behind him is former world title contender Ruslan Provodnikov.