Jason Pagara Battles Abraham Alvarez on July 9 in California

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO world No. 1 ranked Jason “El Nino” Pagara battles Mexico’s tough Abraham Alvarez in a main supporting bout at the San Mateo Events Center in California on July 9 on a fight card headlined by unbeaten younger brother Prince Albert Pagara who clashes with another Mexican, the heavy-handed Cesar Juarez.

The 28 year old Alvarez who was born in Arizona but now fights out of Sinaloa, Mexico has had an aup-and-down career in his 21-9-1, 10 knockouts record and is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Jonas Olivas last June 11 and also won by a 1st round knockout in a scheduled eight round bout against Victor Rivera on May 16, 2015.

Prior to that Alvarez lost by stoppage in five consecutive fights between 2012 and 2014 against topt class opponents.

He was beaten by Artemio Reyes (21-1), Jose Benavidez (17-0),Fidel Maldonado (15-2), Jose Zepeda (9-0) and Armando Robles (20-1).

IN OTHER UNDERCARD NEWS FOR THE CARD: Middleweight Mauricio Zavaleta of San Leandro, California will face Darren Mallard while featherweight Hector Valdez of Dallas, Texas will take on Vincent Jennings in a six round bout at 125 pounds which is expected to be a barn burner.

Valdez who is unbeaten in six fights with 5 knockouts  is a 20 year old prospect and is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Naciff Castillo at the Texas Theatre in Dallas last May 24.

Fight News reported that Valdez, one of Dallas’ exciting young fighters displayed his blazing hand-speed in the opening round as he landed a big left hook and worked the body of Castillo.

In the 2nd round southpaw Castillo had to be checked by tghe doctor because of an apparent head-butt but was allowed to continue. Valdez kept the pressure on Castillo throughout the fight who preferred to counter Valdez and fight off the ropes.

The fight got a little nasty when Castillo complained to referee Laurence Cole that he was being head-butted by Valdez with Cole deducting a point from Valdez for using his shoulder in the 3rd round.

Entering the 5th round Valdez was well in control and snapped the head back of Castillo on several occasions. However, the game Castillo kept gesturing for Valdez to come forward who was well in the lead.

Both fighters let their hands go hoping for a knockout which was a risky proposition for Valdez who was well ahead on points.

The fight ended as the fans roared as Valdez kept his unbeaten record with all three judges scoring it for him – 59-54 twice and 58-56 once.

Jennings is a super bantamweight from Grand Rapids, Michigan and has a record of 5-1-1 with 4 knockouts. He is coming off a six round unanimous decision loss to Jesus Serrano last June 13, 2015.

The 24 year old Serrano had a record of 11-4-2 with 9 knockouts.

Corey Olsen at ringside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania reported that Iron Mike Productions fighter Dennis Galarza was scheduled to fight an easy six round bout Friday to advance to 6-0. But Grand Rapids boxer Vincent Jennings must not have gotten the memo.

Jennings won a unanimous decision over Galarza  at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. upsetting the plans of the new promotion company founded by former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.

"It feels great," Jennings said. "I want to thank God. I did this for him, my wife and my three children."

Jennings said he knew the fight was already won before it started. He was just going through the motions.

"The first round I was a little off balance and he dropped me with a shot then I came back in the second round and I dropped him," Jennings said. "It was a great fight. I was going to the body and it took it out of him. Then I started going with the hook."

Jennings said in the later rounds he took control with body punches then paid homage to the promoter sitting ringside.

"I hit (Galarza) with the body shot then upper cut, like Tyson used to do," Jennings said. "After that I winked at Tyson. This guy was a Tyson fighter, I was supposed to lose."

Jennings improved his record to 5-0-1, 4 KOs while Galarza suffered his first professional loss, dropping him to 5-1, 3 KOs.

"I just needed to do my thing," Jennings said. "It wasn't close, it was unanimous. I never looked at myself as the opponent. I had a different perspective.

Jennings said his work with coach Frank Burrell in recent weeks has paid off. He even spoke with fellow Grand Rapids native and WBO middleweight champion Peter Quillin for some words of wisdom earlier in the day.

"What they did was the wrong thing," Jennings said of Tyson's promotional company. "They called me in on a two week notice and now I was the guy's worst nightmare."

Jennings posed for pictures with Tyson after the fight and said he was never really hurt during the bout.

"I've got a couple scrapes but he really wasn't hitting me with nothing," Jennings said. "I know Tyson was talking about maybe putting me on some more undercards. He was liking the way I fought."

In other bouts Israel Hernandez will clash with Michael Flores at 113 pounds over 4 rounds while Lennard Davis will take on David Figueroa min a 4 round bout at 141 pounds.