UNBEATEN 22-year-old Prince Albert Pagara, who is coming off a big win over Yesner Talavera to capture the WBO Intercontinental title last Feb. 27 in a near-shutout win, told a well-attended press conference at Dencio’s near ABS-CBN in Quezon City, he will use his speed and stamina against his rugged foe Cesar Juarez.
The Mexican engaged Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire in a brutal clash in the final rounds of their battle for the vacant world super bantamweight title in Puerto Rico last Dec. 11, which the Filipino won handily, banking on two rousing knockdowns he scored in Round 4.
Pagara, who was accompanied by former bantamweight contender and now trainer Michael Domingo, said he will concentrate on “conditioning training” with well-known trainer Nick Curson at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.
He said he will do light training at Wild Card under Roach, with Edmund Villamor then handling the training after he arrives in LA, following the WBO light flyweight title defense of Donnie Nietes against Raul “Rayito” Garcia at the St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on May 28.
Domingo said they will look for sparring partners, who approximate the style of Juarez, who has a record of 17-5 with 13 knockouts. Juarez dropped a 10-round split decision to Giovanni Delgado on March 5 this year following the loss to Donaire.
Boxing Scene’s Jake Donovan reported that “three months after taking Nonito Donaire to hell and back, Cesar Juarez was brought crashing back down to earth. The super bantamweight hopeful suffered a stunning split decision loss to Giovanni Delgado in their 10-round clash (last March 5) in Mexico City, Mexico.”
Juarez managed a 95-94 nod on one card, but was overruled by scores of 96-93 and 95-94 in favor of Delgado.
“The concept behind Saturday’s fight was proving that Juarez belonged among super bantamweight contention following his brave showing versus Donaire. A win in this fight was rumored to have lined up a future showdown with unbeaten Pagara, with the winner likely to race to the front of the line for a title shot (which will actually push through at the San Mateo Events Center on July 9),” he continued.
“It wasn’t to be on this night for the local favorite, who was sound offensively but struggled to keep a determined Delgado at bay. The fight was back-and-forth for much of the night, but with Delgado often landing first and at a greater rate. Juarez’ punches drew the reaction whenever he landed, but his best moments came in spurts whereas Delgado’s mode of attack was consistent over the course of the night,” Donovan said.
Despite Juarez’s loss, Pagara conceded “he is a good fighter and besides my speed and stamina I will use my footwork because if you don’t have footwork he will chase you and catch you.”
Pagara noticed that Donaire caught Juarez with “straights and uppercuts and that’s what we are working on.”
He believes that Juarez came on strong in the championship rounds because Nonito “didn’t have stamina after seven or eight rounds.”
Emphasizing that he is “a boxer who is not afraid” Pagara said “I like a fighter who comes forward not a guy who runs.”
The unbeaten super bantamweight who once engaged Donaire in a torrid sparring session at the ALA Gym in Cebu said “I wanted this fight so it will be action-packed and the fans will be happy.”
Trainer Domingo indicated they plan “to add to Pagara’s power because his opponent is tough. And we must be careful because Juarez hits hard. We must avoid his power punches” and will take to heart the advice of Nonito’s trainer/father “Dodong” D onaire who advised him “don’t play his game.”
Pagara revealed that he weighed 130 pounds but that once he begins training in Los Angeles he can make the weight without any problem, pointing out that he was 14 pounds over the limit when he was preparing for the Talavera fight “but after training dropped down to 2 pounds two days before the fight.”
The promising youngster said he is “ happy to be fighting in America especially since there are so many Filipinos in san Francisco who will watch.”
He also disclosed that while they eat everything here in the Philippines. In the US they eat fish and vegetables which they themselves cook.
Pagara also learned to keep his hands up unlike Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo who keeps his hands down because he is confident and as Domingo pointed out “ wants to win by KO in one round,” and almost paid the price against Chris Avalos.
The 22 year old said “I have matured. Like I’m 30. When I enter the ring I’m not a kid. “
His aim is to fight for the world title especially should Donaire move up to 126 pounds and the title becomes vacant.
Pagara is in no hurry saying “ I’ll wait for the right time and train for the chance.”
He said “if you train hard, the fight becomes easier” and added “When I return home I will come back with the belt, proudly carrying the flag of the Philippines.”
