by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Undefeated IBF Intercontinental junior featherweight/super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara is eyeing an eventual title fight against IBF champion Carl Frampton on Britain.
ALA Gym head trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told the New Standard/Boxingscene.com that Prince Albert is likely to get past Mexico’s Jesus “Chito” Rios in the main event of “Duel in Dubai II” at the International Trade Center in Dubai on August 7 and then figure in a title eliminator before going after Frampton’s title.
Villamor said he believes Prince Albert Pagara will move up from his current No. 5 ranking in the WBO after an expected victory over Rios and be in position to fight a title eliminator.
The 21 year old Prince Albert who won the title with a smashing 1st round TKO over brash Hugo Partida if Mexico on June 21 last year has a record of 23-0 with 16 knockouts. However, the 30 year old Rios is no pushover and has a record 25 knockouts in 31 wins with 7 losses and is coming off a 1st round TKO over Aram Valle last May 15.
Rios has had a somewhat up-and-down career. He lost by a 6th round TKO to Jesus Rendon (11-1-1, 5 KO’s) on December 20, 2014 following a stunning 1st round TKO at the hands of veteran multi-titled world champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel on July 26, 2014.
Prior to the Montiel fight Rios won by a 1st round knockout over Cristian Lopez on June 20, 2014 and a 2nd round knockout of Cristian Rodriguez in a scheduled eight round bout on March 29, 2014.
However, Rios didn’t last long against hard-hitting southpaw Michael Farrenas, a protégé of former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa and lost by a 2nd round TKO as referee Ferdinand Estrella called a halt at 2:40 of the round.
In response to the clamor of the large community of Filipino boxing fans in Dubai, the famed ALA Promotions and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN along with widely watched TFC, The Filipino Channel have added light welterweight Jason Pagara to the fight card at the International Trade Center in Dubai for its second blockbuster presentation in the United Arab Emirates.
The 27 year old Jason has a record of 35-2 with 22 knockouts. He won the WBO International super lightweight title on August 18, 2012 with a cracking 6th round TKO in a rematch with menacing Rosbel Montoya of Mexico on August 18, 2012 and has successfully defended the title six times.
Alcaraz surprised WBC welterweight Silver champion Roberto “Massa” Ortiz in the early rounds of a title fight last April 12, 2014 and as both fighters exchanged big shots in the center of the ring Alcaraz suffered a cut on his left eyebrow following an accidental clash of heads but a short while later after the ring doctor checked the cut and determined he Alcaraz couldn’t continue the fight was stopped and Ortiz granted a 6th round TKO.