Pagara brothers, Magsayo face acid tests in US debut

CEBU, Philippines – Celebrated brothers 'Prince' Albert and Jason 'El Niño' Pagara and rising star Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo truly face an acid test as they take on equally-dangerous foes in the breakthrough Pinoy Pride event of ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports in the United States on October 17 at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

Albert Pagara (24-0, 17KOs), the undefeated IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight champion, will slug it out with Nicaraguan power-hitter William 'Chirizo' Gonzalez (25-5, 23KOs), Jason Pagara (36-3, 22KOs) will trade leathers with Gonzalez's fellow countryman Santos 'El Toro' Benavides (25-7-2, 19KOs), while Magsayo (11-0, 9KOs) will figure in an exciting showdown of undefeated featherweight prospects against Mexican Yardley Suarez (13-0, 8KOs).

'Prince' Albert will brace for the toughest challenge of his fistic career against Gonzalez, a certified knockout artist having flattened 23 of his 25 victims by far. In his previous bout, Gonzalez stopped Cornelius Lock in the seventh round to wrest the WBA-NABA featherweight belt last May 9 at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, Delaware, USA.

"For Albert, this should be his biggest test against a fighter that fought world champs and is a certified puncher with 23 KOs in 25 wins," said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer.

Albert's older brother Jason, the WBO International light welterweight title-holder, should also expect one big war against the 33-year-old Benavides, a welterweight veteran of 34 fights.

"Benavides should give Jason an idea what's it like fighting abroad and at this competitive weight as he has fought upcoming undefeated prospects. Jason has to show what he can do," said Aldeguer.

Likewise, Magsayo girds up for a challenging baptism of fire on US soil that will either make or break his promising journey in the ring arena.

"This is his biggest test against an undefeated Mexican prospect. This should be a big test for Magsayo to prove that he is indeed the real deal. Suarez is an upcoming prospect from Mexico too so this fight should tell who is for real," continued Aldeguer.

The Pagara siblings and Magsayo are currently in deep training under the watchful eyes of trainer Edito 'ALA' Villamor at the Wild Card Gym of famed American strategist Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

They will be joined later by two-division world champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes (36-1-4, 21KOs), who will defend his WBO and The Ring light flyweight crown against Mexican challenger Juan 'Pinky' Alejo (21-3, 13KOs) in the main event of the historic "Pinoy Pride 33:Philippines vs The World". (FREEMAN)