DUBAI MEDIA CITY, UAE -- Filipino boxing greats reigned supreme once again as four of the Philippines’ fighters scored a complete win against their foreign opponents in the recently concluded “Pinoy Pride 32: Duel in Dubai 2” of The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN Sports + Action at ALA Promotions at the Dubai World Trade Center.
“Prince” Albert Pagara remains undefeated after successfully knocking out Mexican opponent Jesus “Chito” Rios in the main event of the “Pinoy Pride 32: Duel in Dubai 2” last Friday, August 7, now making his total 24 wins and 17 knockouts
Pagara’s older brother, Jason “El Niño” Pagara (36-2, 22 KOs) with fellow Filipino fighters Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca (40-8-4), and Dubai-based Filipino boxer Larry Abarra (4-2-1) also defeated their foes in the undercard matches.
A roaring Filipino crowd cheered on the aggressive ‘hunter’ that is Pagara as he defeated his Mexican opponent, thereby retaining his IBF Intercontinental Jr. Featherweight title. The confident fighter instantly impressed with a right straight left cross combo that immediately plummeted Rios (31-8-1). Veteran referee Bruce McTavish continued the fight after a wobbly Rios stood up and beat the count. Pagara instantaneously saw the opening and threw a salvo of punches which made Rios hold on to the ropes of the ring. McTavish then put a stop to the match, setting Pagara’s victory over Rios. Pagara’s lethal punches left Rios lying at the canvas with the medical team attending to him, putting him on oxygen.
An overjoyed Pagara told ABS-CBN that he is exultant with the way he fought the Mexican fighter and said that no matter who he fights, regardless of time and location, he will fight to the end. “Wala naman akong kaba kahit saan ako lumaban na bansa, basta nasa ibabaw ako ng ring, boxing talaga ang hanap ko (I don’t feel any pressure. No matter where the fight brings me for as long as I am inside the ring. I just want to fight my best,” said a confident Pagara.
In the undercard matches, Albert’s elder brother, Jason won after a bloody match with Mexican opponent Ramiro “Xixime” Alcaraz (15-5-1) via unanimous decision.
During the first round, both fighters were put to a test after a clash of heads caused a cut on the left eyebrow of Pagara. In the eighth round, a brutal head-butt by Alcaraz caused another cut on Pagara and was then checked by the medical team. The attending physician then decided that Pagara was unfit to continue the ten-round match forcing the results to be decided on scorecards. In the end, the judges assessed in favor of Pagara with the scores 77-73, 76-74, and 78-72.
Jaca, on the other hand, also won via unanimous decision (UD) over Mexican rival Pablo Lugo Montiel (21-6). Jaca had a hard time defeating Montiel especially during the fourth round where Jaca was knocked down. During the last two rounds, Jaca was able to recover and regain control of the fight, throwing multiple combinations at Montiel. Jaca won the undercard match with the judges all in favor of him, 78-74, 78-74, and 77-74.
Dubai-based Filipino fighter, Abarra, meantime, surprised the Filipino crowd in Dubai after fearlessly knocking out Indonesian fighter Tony Arema (3-7-1) in the first round of their match.
Following the sensational first round knockout of Albert and the UD victory of Jason, the Pagara brothers, together with the undefeated Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (10-0, with 8 KOs) have clinched another international fight in ALA’s first foray in American soil, “Pinoy Pride 33,” at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
“Pinoy Pride 32: Duel in Dubai 2” was brought to the Middle East by The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN Sports + Action, and ALA Promotions International.
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