DUBAI – It should come as a disappointment if Albert Pagara, the young, flashy and undefeated Filipino, if he doesn’t knock out his Mexican opponent here tonight.
The 21-year-old Albert, nicknamed the “Prince,” arrived in this city with nearly half a million Filipino workers and residents last Friday looking for a knockout.
“Hintayin natin. Dadating yan (Let’s wait. It will come),” said Albert, who faces Jesus Rios in the main event of Pinoy Pride 32: The Duel in Dubai 2.
Albert is unbeaten in 23 fights, 16 of them by knockout.
Rios, on the other hand, is 10 years older, with a ring record of 31-7-1. He turned pro in 2002, when Albert was barely eight years old.
Rios is a Mexican fighter with a penchant for knockouts. Of his wins, 25 were knockouts. Ironically, each time he lost, he lost by knockout.
Last year alone, he was knocked out twice, in the opening round by Fernando Montiel in July and in the sixth by fellow Mexican Jesus Rendon in December.
In December 2013, Rios was knocked out by Filipino Michael Farenas in the second round at the Solaire Resort and Casino.
It’s either Rios knocks his opponent out or he gets knocked out trying.
“Siyempre gusto natin knockout (Of course we want a knockout),” said Albert.
He had his IBF International junior-featherweight belt over his shoulder when he flew in with his elder brother Jason and his trainers, led by Edmond Villamor, last Friday.
“Hindi niya makukuha ang title ko (He can’t take my title away),” he said.
Jason, two years older at 23, is a junior-welterweight who also wants to become a world champion. He carries an impressive record of 35-2-0 with 22 knockouts.
His date from Mexico, Ramiro Alcaraz, is 15-4 with nine knockouts, five of which not lasting more than four rounds.
Like Albert, who always comes in with a flashy hairdo, Jason wants a knockout here in Dubai, where temperature soars to the mid-40s during the day.
“Mainit dito. Parang ako lang (It’s hot in here. Like myself),” said the Pinoy boxer who’s nicknamed “El Niño.”
The Aldeguers of the ALA Promotions, Tony and Michael, have high hopes on the Pagaras, and they plan to take the boxing siblings to the United States this year.
In October, ALA Promotions will hold its first boxing event in Carson, California. They’re still working on the card.
Spicing up the card presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports is the seasoned Jimrex Jaca who will go up against another Mexican, Pablo Lugo Montiel.
Completing the card are Larry Abarra of the Philippines vs Tony Arema of Indonesia (122 lb); Deo Krizito of Uganda vs Fapech Manopchaigym of Thailand (140 lb); Lasisi Bamidele of Dubai vs Singnoi Singmansak of Thailand (118 lb); and Nicholas Mwangi of Dubai vs Mohammad Akram of Syria (135 lb).