Pinoy Pride returns to Davao

CEBU, Philippines – Two world title hopefuls from Cebu's fabled ALA Boxing Gym will face tough challenges against separate Mexican foes as they headline the first Pinoy Pride card of the year billed as 'Fists of Fury’ on February 7 at the University of Southern Eastern Philippines gymnasium in Davao City.

Both highly ranked in their divisions, light welterweight Jason ‘El Nino’ Pagara and super bantamweight Genesis ‘Azucal’ Servania both gun for impressive wins with hopes of taking one step closer to their dream of fighting for a world championship.

Pagara (36-2, 24KOs) will defend his WBO International belt against Cesar ‘El Dolar’ Chavez  (23-7, 11KOs), while the top-ranked Servania will stake his WBO Intercontinental crown against Juan Luis ‘Perla Negra’ Hernandez (17-3, 9KOs).

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer knew that both Pagara and Servania are in the path of getting a crack at the world title, but he admitted that the his wards are also in a difficult situations being in two of the toughest divisions in boxing.

Pagara belongs in the 140 lbs. class, which is considered as the most competitive stacked by big names in the likes of Brandon Rios, Ruslan Provodnikov, Lamont Peterson, Amir Khan, Adrien Broner, Lucas Matthyse and former Manny Pacquiao foe Chris Algier to name a few.

“We all know that Jason is in the toughest division (140 lbs.), that is why we want to test him every time he fights and giving him a Mexican opponent will surely show if he is ready,” said Aldeguer.

“If he wins convincingly, then we will take him to the United States for a series of training and from there we would see if we can give him a fight against bigger names in the light welterweight.”

In his last fight, Pagara delivered an impressive fourth round TKO win against Mexican Mari Meraz last June 21 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“That is why I always trained hard so I can prove that I belong [among the best in the world]. I am ready to fight anyone of them and I am not intimidated,” said the Cagayan De Oro City-native Pagara.

For his part, Servania, being the WBO No.1 contender, has no doubt in his skills as he is on a collision course against WBO king Guillermo Rigondeaux, who is best remembered by Pinoy fans as the conqueror of four-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

“I am ready to face him (Rigondeaux), but it still depends on my promoter,” said Servania.

But Aldeguer admitted that they are not rushing things for a Servania-Rigondeaux showdown as they want to give the ALA boxer more experience abroad. The Bacolod City fighter won via 10th round TKO over Mexican Jose Cabrera last September 5 in Dubai.

“If the opportunity is there to fight Rigondeaux, then we will grab it but right, now we want to give Genesis more exposure abroad especially in the United States,” said Aldeguer.

Also seeing action in the slambang card presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports are two undefeated ALA boxers in 'King' Arthur Villanueva (26-0, 14KOs) and Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (9-0,7 KOs). (FREEMAN)