Bad day for boxer Albert Pagara

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

IT’s a must for me to watch major international boxing events live on television, or if I can to be there at the venue especially if the protagonists involved are Mexicans and or Filipinos. Boxing is my second love after cycling. But last July 10, I missed the live telecast of the Pinoy Pride 37 held in San Mateo, California because I was in Hong Kong for a four-day respite.

This latest Mexican vs. Filipino encounters were starred by potential world champion boxers – the Pagara siblings, Jason and Albert. But I still managed to get the disappointing result on real time through my phone conversation with my cousin-in-law Domingo “Boy” Almonte, Jr. from Santa Clara, California. The news that previously unbeaten “Prince” Albert Pagara was knocked out cold in the eight round by Cesar “El Corazon” Juarez of Mexico City and had to be carried out on a stretcher out to a nearby hospital stunned me.  Who wouldn’t? Our Cagayan de Oro City son, a World Boxing Organization (WBO) international junior featherweight titleholder and number two WBO contender for the world crown is truly a potential world champion.

Boy, the former barangay captain of Landas in my town Mangaldan and a boxing aficionado, also said that the ring-encounter between the Mexicans and the Filipinos could have been a total disappointment if Albert’s brother, Jason, a junior welterweight (140 lbs), had not won his brawl against Juarez country mate Abraham Alvarez via third round kayo. His triumph improved his record with 39 wins, 19 of them via knockouts with two losses.

I finally managed to watch the “The Fists of the Future” on TV last Tuesday night (July 12). I saw how Albert knocked down the Mexican banger in the first round but was unable to finish him off in the succeeding rounds. Instead, it turned out to be an ugly defeat for Albert. He was pummeled, cracked and appeared finished in the seventh round until that one-two-three combinations landed accurately on Pagara’s head that sent him down for good in the early seconds of the eight.  Pagara tried to get up only to fall forward on his knees obviously from wooziness. Pagara, 22, now totes 26 victories with 18 knockouts and with one loss.

Latest report says he’s now out of danger and released from the hospital but he was advised by the hospital’s neurosurgeon not to do any boxing training for at least a month. “Lalalaban pa rin ako, Naunahan lang tayo,” said Pagara after his release.

Juarez, 24, earned some respect when he fought Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. and pushed the Filipino fighter to the limit for the WBO featherweight crown in December last year. Juarez lost by unanimous decision but was applauded by the crowd for being a real ring combatant. In fact, after his fight with Albert, Juarez arrogantly challenged Donaire for a grudge title rematch. The Filipino Flash who was one of the commentators during the clash, smilingly accepted the challenge and said it is up to his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions to arrange it.

I wish and hope it pushes through. Siya nawa.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: From God’s words Moses said, “Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.” EXODUS 35: 2

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