However, one of the names that doesn’t lack star potential and could actually become one of the heirs to the throne is that of a 20-yearold unbeaten prospect with a blond faux hawk named Albert Pagara.
“Yes he can be a future star,” believes his coach Edito Villamor. “He is special because he has the charisma inside the ring that you can’t teach a boxer, especially the way he brings his personality.
Also the way he fights, he has skill and power that gives Albert Pagara the advantage and makes him a crowd drawer.”
Indeed, Pagara has the skills and power and is a very exciting boxer. He showed that in his last two fights, when he stopped Mexican Hugo Partida in a single round and dropped experienced Raul Hirales before beating him in a lopsided unanimous decision.
Pagara faces another Mexican opponent, Rodolfo Hernandez, in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 30 at the SM Mall of Asia on March 28, which will be co-headlined by Nietes and Donaire Jr.
“Yes. This is his key that will determine what level Albert Pagara is at right now.
This is ALA Promotions’ test for him if he can withstand a knockout artist. That’s why we are doing our best in his conditioning and skills training to make him 100 percent ready and to get a good result,” said Villamor. Nietes defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight belt against Mexican Luis Ceja, while Donaire guns for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super bantamweight strap against Brazilian William Prado.
Pagara has developed into a legitimate contender in just his fifth year as a pro. He is the current International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter- Continental super bantamweight champion and has an
immaculate record of 22-0 with 15 knockouts. The 28- year-old Hernandez is 26-5-1 with 24 knockouts and has held three regional title belts.
“If he wins impressively, then I see him as one of the Top 10 in the world,” said Villamor. “It depends on his performance in this fight if he’ll be ready for a world title this year or next year against a world champion. if he will be given an opponent that’s a former world champion, before fighting for a world championship.” (E.K. Aznar, philboxing)