Pagara, Meraz promise war

CEBU, Philippines - WBO International light welterweight champion Jason ‘El Niño’ Pagara (33-2, 20KOs) and Mexican brawler Mario ‘Rocky’ Meraz (20-3, 16KOs) both expect for an explosive war inside the ring as they slug it out in the main event  of ‘Pinoy Pride 26: Fists of the Future’ this Saturday night at the Pacific grand ballroom of  Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

After Meraz declared that he came here for war, the ALA Gym stalwart immediately said that he is ready to go toe-to-toe against the Mexican and vowed to score an impressive win for the Cebuano fans.

“This is a very important fight for me. I want to win impressively and I will try to look for a knockout against him,” said Pagara during the final press conference yesterday at the Aegean room of Waterfront Hotel.

The pride of Cagayan De Oro City, Pagara wants to show that he belongs to the elite ranks of fighters in the 140 lbs. division and scoring a spectacular win against Meraz will help boosts his name as a future world title contender.

“I think he (Pagara) improved incredibly but this fight will show if what he is really made off,” said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer. “If he will win this fight, I am planning to send him to the United States and train in preparation for bigger fights in the future.”

Meraz, for his part continues to express his confidence in beating Pagara and derailing the world title hope of the Filipino warrior.

“I admit he (Pagara) is a strong and tough opponent but I have an advantage against him and that is the hunger to win. I am hungrier than him,” said Meraz.

In the supporting main event, Jason’s younger brother, ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara (20-0, 14KOs) will also face his toughest challenge so far against his first Mexican foe in Hugo ‘Olimpico’ Partida (21-4, 16KOs).

“I am not scared of him (Partida). I trust my skills and I know my preparation is enough to win against him,” said Albert who guns for the IBF Intercontinental light featherweight crown.

In other feature of the slambang event presented by ALA Promotions in partnership with ABS-CBN Sports, former two-time world title challenger AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal (30-2, 21KOs) will slug it out with the unbeaten Indonesian Defry ‘Hammer’ Palulu (10-0, 9KOs), while Jimrex Jaca (30-0, 22KOs) will take on Japanese Masayoshi Kotake (9-8, 5KOs).

Meanwhile, the official weigh-in of Pinoy Pride 26 is set at 12 noon today at the Robinsons Fuente. (FREEMAN)