Pazos braces for tough Servania test

CEBU, Philippines - Mexicans promise to put on spectacular show in Pinoy Pride XV Mexican fighter Jorge "El Feroz" Pazos has nothing but words of praise and respect for Genesis "Azukal" Servania and that he considers the undefeated ALA Boxing Gym star as the toughest test in his career.

"I've seen the video of his fights. He (Servania) is a good fighter. He hits well. He is very agile with good footwork," said Pazos through Cebuano interpreter Mon Escaño in a press conference yesterday at Patio Isabel in Brgy. Banilad, this city.

"He could be the most important fight of my career. He's well-trained with good following here. He's a very strong opponent. I think this will be my most competitive fight," added the Mexican visitor.

Pazos (20-3, 13KOs) will trade fistic bombs with Servania (18-0, 7KOs) in a 12-round rumbled for the WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight title on the undercard of the highly-anticipated "Pinoy Pride XV:Philippines vs. Mexico-The Rematch" topbilled by Jason "El Niño" Pagara on August 18 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Pagara (28-2, 17KOs) will take on his former tormentor Rosbel "Lobo" Montoya (36-4-1, 30KOs) in the grudge rematch of sort for the WBO International jr welterweight championship. 

Though he holds his opponent with high esteem, Pazos appears to be unfazed by the impressive credential of Servania, who has beaten a strong of top caliber Mexican rivals in the mold of Gerson Guerrero, Marcos Cardenas and most recently Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia.

"I came here well-prepared. I'm also a promising boxer like him with a good future ahead of me," he said.

Pazos arrived in town the other day together with his trainer/manager Jesus Edmundo Gaytan and fellow boxer Michael "Arcangel" Martinez(13-2-1, 9KOs) , who will slug it out with the comebacking Jimrex "The Executioner" Jaca (34-6-3, 19KOs) in the other feature of the mega-fight card presented by ALA Promotions in partnership with ABS-CBN Sports.

Like his compatriot, Martinez also has high regards for Jaca being a former two-division OPBF champion who has fought gallantly - albeit for a losing cause - against Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez.

"I am happy to come here. Knowing Jaca's reputation, he's a very good boxer. I always love to fight a good boxer and that's what I need to gain more experience," said Martinez. "I would like to thank ALA Promotions for bringing us here. We come prepared and we are ready to give you a spectacular fight."        

When asked on his chances against Jaca, Martinez replied:"When I fight, I don't talk about my opponents negatively. It's just the effort from that boxer and my effort inside the ring the matters most."

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

Tickets are on sale at SM City Cebu and Consolacion Customer Service Counters, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Mooon Café at Cebu I.T. Park, USA Sports outlets, Gaisano Tabunok, ALA Boxing and Fitness Gym at Banilad Town Centre and at the ALA Promotions Head Office with numbers (032) 236-4611. (FREEMAN)