‘Prince’ Albert back to form,annihilates African foe in 3

MAASIN CITY, Philippines — ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara showed that he has regained his confidence in pursuit of a world title shot.

And he did it in a spectacular fashion.

In front of thousands of his townsfolks, Pagara (30-1, 20KOs) made short work of the hapless Laryea Gabriel Odoi of Ghana (20-3, 14KOs) to claim the vacant WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight title in the main event of the ‘Pinoy Pride 44: Laban sa Leyte’ fightcard the other night here in the Southern Leyte capital.

It was a total domination by Pagara, who scored two knockdowns before forcing Odoi’s trainer to throw in the white towel indicating surrender at the 2:30 mark of the third round.

The 24-year-old Pagara immediately jumped the gun on Odoi right after the opening bell, launching a barrage of punches capped by a brutal combo to the head that sent his foe down at the seat of his pants.

Odoi was able to recover into the second round but became hesitant to engage as the ALA Gym warrior played catch-up.

In the ensuing round, Pagara kept his momentum as he pinned Odoi against the ropes before peppering the African with vicious hooks to the body and head that downed Odoi for the second time.

Odoi again stood up but Pagara, smelling blood, swiftly went for the kill by bombarding the African visitor with punishing blows that forced latter’s trainer decided to halt the carnage.

“I already knew I can finish him early right after the first knockdown that is why I went for it,” said Pagara.

“The fire is back. I am feeling good and I know I am a smarter fighter now. If given a chance, I want to face him (Juarez) again and if that time comes, I will be more than ready,”added Pagara, referring to Cesar Juarez who stalled his world title dreams two years.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer, for his part, liked what he saw as Pagara proved that he still what it takes to become a world champion.

“I like it. I saw Albert’s swagger again and that is a good thing. He didn’t make the fight competitive, but he showed to us that he is on another level compared to Odoi,” Aldeguer said. “We are looking to give him another test by putting him on the undercard of Donnie Nietes’ next fight in August.”

Just like Pagara, ALA rising star Jeo ‘Santino’ Santisima (16-2, 14KOs) was also dominant in dispatching Thai Likit Chane (16-7, 10KOs) in the third round to clinch the vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight belt.

The Masbate-native Santisima was too fast and too strong for his opponent. He peppered hise Thai foe with heavy shots at the body and head.

Likit was unresponsive to Santisima’s attack, prompting referee Tony Pesons to stop the bout at the 1:20 mark of round three.

In the other results, ALA boys Jason ‘El Nino’ Pagara (41-3, 26KOs) stopped Indonesian Wellem Reyk (19-19, 5KOs) in the third round,‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (32-3, 18KOs) destroyed Ren-Ren Tesorio (16-13, 4KOs) in the seventh round, while Melvin ‘Gringo’ Jerusalem (13-2, 8KOs) flattened Philip Cuerdo (10-5, 4KOs) in round eight.  (FREEMAN)