CEBU, Philippines – Jason Pagara seeks revenge as he slugs it out with tormentor Rosbel Montoya in their 12-round showdown for the WBO International light welterweight crown in the “Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico-The Rematch” tonight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino here.
Pagara lost to Montoya via a unanimous decision last year but the former vowed to even things up with the Mexican fighter in what promises to be a slam-bang encounter between two sluggers.
“I was having some personal problems at that time. It wasn’t an excuse though because Montoya is also a very good boxer. I hold him with high respect,” said Pagara, who sports a 28-2 (win-loss) record that includes 17 KOs.
“I am very happy to be given this opportunity to have a rematch with Montoya. I trained hard and I’ve never been this focused in my career. I have only one thing in mind and that is to score a sweet revenge,” added the pride of Cagayan de Oro City.
But Montoya, who holds a 36-4-1 slate spiked with 30 KOs, is also raring to score a repeat.
Pagara, 21, knows the importance of this bout and that he is ready to take on the challenge.
“This is a make or break fight for me. I have to make an impression and show to everyone that I still have what it takes to be a world champion someday,” Pagara said.
In the co-featured fight, unbeaten ALA rising star Genesis “Azukal” Servania (18-0, 7KOs) squares off with Jorge Pazos ( 21-3, 14KOs) for the the WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight crown.
“I know Pazos is a tough fighter but I’m prepared and ready for whatever he brings into the fight,” said Servania.
The slugest presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports also marks the ring comeback of former two-division OPBF champion Jimrex “The Executioner” Jaca (34-6-3, 19KOs) against the young, but dangerous Angel “Arcangel” Martinez (18-2-1, 13KOs).
“There’s no turning back for me. I’m going to prove to ALA Promotions that I’m worthy of the second chance they’ve given me,” said Jaca, who once fought – albeit for a losing cause – against Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.
The rest of the card features Mark Vincent Bernaldez vs Joash Aprericio; Juren Labordo vs Powell Balaba; Jojo Intor vs Peter Aldrin; and JP Artieda vs Hector Rojoca. – Emmanuel Villaruel/Freeman News Service