By Ronnie Nathanielsz
IBF Intercontinental supwer bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara's opponent, Mexico's Jesus "Chito" Rios was 3.8 pounds over the 122 pound limit at the official weigh-in for "Duel in Dubai II" at the International Trade Center in Dubai yesterday and was given tnwo hours to shed off the excess weight.
Most boxing enthusiasts at the weigh-in indicated Riosa would have a hard time making the weight which means that in the unlikely event he beats Pagara he won't win the title.
However, Rios' effort to shed off the 3.8 pounds is expected to take a heavy toll on the Mexican warrior which would make Prince Albert's task so much easier.
Pagara himself tipped the scales at 121.4 pounds.
Elder brother Jason "El Nino" Pagara, the light welterweight who is ranked No. 2 by the WBO came in at `142.4 pounds which was below the stipulated weight limit of 143 pounds while his Mexican opponent Ramiro Alcaraz came in a fraction heavier at 142.6 pounds.
Veteran Jimrex "Executioner" Jaca (39-8, 22KOs) who will go up against Mexican Pablo Lugo Montiel (21-5, 17KOs.) in what is ex pected to be a regular slugfest with both fighters weighing-in at 139 pounds.
WBO light flyweight champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion who eclipsed the record of the late Hall of Famer Gabriel "Flash" Elorde who held the world junior lightweight title fotr 7 years 3 months and 15 days last January 1 will be honored with a "Lifertime Achievement Award" on fight night with the "Pinoy Pride 32" card to be telecast "live" on Sky Cable pay per view on Friday night.
Nietes was awarded the prestigious RING championship belt and a diamond-encrusted ‘Super Champion’s’ ring by Word Boxing Organization president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel during his last title defense when he scored a lopsided twelve round decision over former minimumweight champion Franciso Rodriguez Jr in Cebu last May.