Pagara seeks redemption in rematch with Montoya

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Stable stalwart Jason "El Nino" Pagara (28-2, 17KOs) carries a heavy load on his shoulders when he takes centerstage in the main event of the "Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs. Mexico-The Rematch" on August 18 at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Brgy. Lahug, this city.

Aside from topbilling for the first time the highly-successful series in the annals of Philippine boxing, Pagara will also go up against a Mexican ring punisher who dealt him the most painful defeat of his budding career in the person of Rosbel Montoya (36-4-1, 30KOs).

Hence, it's going to be a grudge rematch of sort for Pagara and Montoya as they slug it out for the WBO International jr welterweight championship. 

"I wanted this rematch so badly and I am so happy to be given this opportunity. I trained and prepared hard for this fight because I want to redeem myself from that heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Montoya," said the 24-year-old Pagara in a news conference yesterday at the Sinulog room of City Sports Club-Cebu.

During their previous encounter on September 10 last year at the plush hotel, Pagara was clearly outclassed in a unanimous decision loss to Montoya.

"I must admit that I wasn't at my best in that fight because I was dealing with some personal problems during that time," said Pagara. "That's the main reason why I am itching to face him again and prove my worth. This time, I'm so focused with my training and it's possible that I'm going to knock him out."

ALA Promotions president Michael P. Aldeguer said they have given Pagara a shot at redemption because they strongly feel that the future of the Cagayan de Oro City fighter remains bright even after that stinging debacle.

"A lot of questions have been raised after his loss to Montoya and the only way to answer his critics is to make an impressive performance in their rematch," said Aldeguer. "This is his one last chance to show what he can do and redeem himself. He has a lot to prove."

In the supporting main event, the unbeaten ALA rising star Genesis "Azukal" Servania (18-0, 7KOs) will take on Jorge "El Feroz" Pazos ( 20-3, 13KOs) for the WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight crown.

The blockbuster card co-presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports also marks the ring comeback of former two-division OPBF champion Jimrex "The Executioner" Jaca (34-6-3, 19KOs) against Angel "Arcangel" Martinez (13-2-1, 9KOs). 

"Now that I'm back with ALA's fold, I will give my best shot to prove that I'm worthy of the second chance they've given me," said Jaca, who is best remembered for putting up a gallant stand, albeit for a losing cause against Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez in their WBO featherweight title match a decade ago.

The rest of the card features Mark Vincent Bernaldez vs. Joash Aprericio; Juren Labordo vs. Powell Balaba; Jojo Intor vs. Peter Aldrin; and JP Artieda vs. Hector Rojoca.