Confident Mexicans ready for battle vs ALA fighters

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Three Mexican warriors want history to repeat for itself as they all vow to score upset victories ove`r their respective foes from Cebu's fabled ALA Stable in the 'Pinoy Pride 29: Fists of Fury’ this Saturday night at the University of Southern Eastern Philippines gymnasium here.

Former Mexican Pacific Coast champion Cesar 'El Dolar' Chavez (23-7, 11KOs), who leads the visiting Mexican combatants, expressed confidence of dethroning WBO International junior welterweight champion Jason 'El Nino' Pagara (34-2, 21KOs) in the main event of the slambang card presented by ALA Promotions International in partnership with ABS-CBN Sports.

"I will bring the belt to Mexico. I am positive of that," said Chavez in the final press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Chavez is optimistic on duplicating the feat of his fellow countryman Jose Ramirez, who stunned Rey ‘Boom Boom' Bautista in their 12-round rumble to snatch the latter's WBO International featherweight belt during the first Pinoy Pride event held in Davao City two years ago.

"Either by knockout or decision, I know I have what it takes in beating him (Pagara) in his own country," said Chavez.

Like Chavez, Juan Luis 'Perla Negra' Echavez (17-3, 9KOs) is also predicting a win against WBO ranked No.1 and defending WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight crown-holder Genesis 'Azucal' Servania (25-0, 11KOs).

"In Mexico, in the Philippines or everywhere I fight, I always make sure that I am victorious and that's what will happen on Saturday night," Echavez said. "I know that I will win and in fact, I am already thinking about giving (Servania) a rematch."

For his part, former Mexican world titlist Julio Cesar 'Pingo' Miranda (38-11, 29KOs) believes that even if it is not a title-bout, all is at stake as he wants to revive his carrier by beating the undefeated flyweight prospest 'King' Arthur Villanueva (26-0, 14KOs).  

"I am happy because he (Villanueva) is a highly ranked fighter and winning against him will boost my chance of another world title run," said Miranda.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer admitted that it's a big gamble on their part pitting three of their world title hopefuls against the dangerous Mexicans.

"These are three great Mexicans that can give our fighters tough challenge. It's a risk but this the only way to see if they have what it takes to fight for the world title," said Aldeguer.

In the undercards, rising star Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (9-0, KOs) will pass through a major test against the more experienced Sukkasem Kietyongyuth (13-3, 8KOs) of Thailand, while Arjan 'Spartan' Canillas (9-0-2, 7KOs) will slug it out with Indonesian Stevi Ongen Ferdinandus (15-7, 8KOs).    (FREEMAN)