Pinoys virtually fight before home crowd

DUBAI – If these Mexican boxers feel that facing the Filipinos here is like fighting on neutral ground then they better think twice.

Because when the bell rings Friday evening at the Dubai World Trade Center here, the atmosphere will be pretty much like Manila or Bacolod or Cebu.

There are over 700,000 Filipinos based in the United Arab Emirates, and close to 450,000 of them are here in Dubai or 20 percent of the city’s entire population.

Albert and Jason Pagara as well as Jimrex Jaca will feel right at home when they climb the ring on Friday evening for this Duel in Dubai 2.

Still, Jesus Rios, who will challenge Albert for the IBF International junior-featherweight belt, would hear none of it.

“It doesn’t matter how many Filipinos are here. It’s just me and Pagara inside the ring. I can knock him out in five rounds,” said Rios.

There are hardly any Mexicans here in Dubai, and the only ones who will root for him and the other Mexican fighters tonight are themselves.

Rios doesn’t mind at all.

“It will be different here. This will be a great fight,” said Rios, who came in 3.5 pounds overweight, and was given two hours to make 122.

If Rios fails, he cannot bring the title home even if he wins the fight. Instead, the title will be declared vacant.

From the official weigh-in he went back to his hotel room, and was seen stepping out of the lobby in a black sweat suit. By that time, it was 40 degrees outside.

“Suwerte siya mainit (He’s lucky it’s hot),” said Pagara.

Albert was comfortable at 121.4 pounds, and doesn’t care about the venue as well.

“Kahit saan. Pareho lang ang ring (Anywhere. The ring is the same),” said Albert, whose brother, Jason, tipped the scales at 142.4 lb.

Jason’s opponent, Ramiro Alcaraz, came in at 142.5 for their light-welterweight clash.

Veteran referee Bruce McTavish said he was told by the Mexican camp that Rios was just a pound over the limit Wednesday evening.

“Then he shows up today three-and-a-half pounds over. It’s crazy. And I blame his handlers,” said McTavish.