‘Prince’ Pagara topbills ‘Maasin Pride IV’ vs. unbeaten Thai

 CEBU, Philippines - For the first time in Maasin City sports, a boxing match involving a foreign fighter will brought by Boxing Best Promotions and the Maasin City Sports Council on November 16 at the city's gymnasium. The card is dubbed 'Maasin Pride IV' and offered for the birthday of Governor Damian Mercado. 

 'Prince' Albert Pagara, fresh from a resounding win over journeyman Marvin Tampus in Balamban, Cebu, will face Tawanrung Eausampan of Thailand. Pagara sports an immaculate 13-0 record spiked with 9KOs, while Eausampan parades an unblemished 5-0 slate packed with 2KOs.

 So far, Eausampan has fought all Thai opponents namely Kong Sithsamart, Den Sithsaithong, Chartphichit Sor Rathidec, Khaosainoi Or Nanthasrino, and Tepparith Sor Thanmajak. This will be his first assignment outside of his home country.

 Pagara, on the other hand, has slugged it out with two foreign foes. He prevailed over Tanzanian Shabani Madilu by an eight-round unanimous decision in Bacolod City. He knocked the African down thrice. It was only Albert’s eighth pro bout. His second foreign rival was Phupha Por Nobnom of Thailand, whom he floored twice in the second round for the TKO.

 The younger Pagara saw action in his birthplace Maasin three times and all shows were billed as 'Maasin Pride'.  He scored a clean sweep via short distance. He stopped Anthony Galigao in the first round, flattened Rogen Flores in the fourth and sent Henry Acha into the dreamland in the third before the cheering hometown fans. 

 Every Pagara fight in Maasin, hundreds of barrio folks from his home Barangay Lib-og, led by his uncle Barangay Captain Walter Sepe and mother Sabrina Gerogalem Pagara, would watch him in action atop the ring.  His father is now employed at the Maasin city Hall training amateur boxers.

 Prince Albert is ranked No. 33 in the world in the bantamweight division by boxrec.com. The same prestigious website listed him as No. 5 best bantamweight in the Philippines behind OPBF bantamweight champion Rolly Matsushita, Marlon Tapales, WBC international bantamweight champion Dennis Tubieron, and WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion AJ Banal.

 He is listed as the No. 40 bantamweight boxer by the International Boxing Organization (IBO). He is rated No. 10 superflyweight contender by the OPBF and No.2 by by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

The supporting bouts feature the ring comedy king Jojo “Flash” Entor of Negros Occidental against Gilbert Graciano of General Santos City; Takaoki Noma of Osaka, Japan versus Jamjam Ungon of Bantayan Island; and Bryan Lobitania of Tagbilaran City opposite Dingdong Quiñones of General Santos City.   (FREEMAN)