Pagara vows swift KO vs Mexican foe

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Jason Pagara took a long, hard look at his opponent from Mexico City after yesterday’s official weigh-in and thought he had everything all figured out.

The WBO International junior welterweight champion turned his back and did not bother to shake the hands of his challenger, Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez, at the SM City Activity Center here.

Pagara is defending the crown for the fifth time. He carried the confidence around the place as he looked forward to the fight that topbills Pinoy Pride 29.

Through his handlers, the 27-year-old Mexican said he’d go for the knockout, and that the fight may not last five rounds.

“Five rounds?” Pagara asked.

“He won’t last two rounds with me,” added the cocky Filipino champion, a couple of years younger and at 5’8” an inch or two taller.

Again, Pagara, ranked No. 4 by the WBO in the 140 pound class, was asked if he would go for the knockout at the USEP Gym here tonight.

“Siempre (Of course),” said Pagara, who weighed in at 138 pounds. He brings with him an impressive ring record of 34-2-0 with 21 knockouts.

Chavez came in at 139 pounds and armed with a 24-7 record with a dozen knockouts.

Pagara said he tried to check on Chavez on YouTube and there was nothing much to see.

“There was just one fight of him on YouTube,” said Pagara, seeking an impressive win that could set him up to a world title shot.

Pagara mentioned the names of Timothy Bradley, Danny Garcia and Chris Algieri, saying if given chance he would gladly take the fight.

For the main supporting bout, Genesis Sasuman of the Philippines will stake his WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight crown against Mexico’s Juan Luis Hernandez.

They both made weight just around noon.

Another stalwart of the famed ALA Boxing of Cebu City, super-flyweight Arthur “King” Villanueva, faces former world champion Julio Cesar Miranda of Mexico in a 10-round, non-title bout while the fast-rising Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo takes on Thailand’s Sukkasem Kietyongyuh.