CEBU, Philippines — Former WBO International super lightweight champion Jason ‘El Niño’ Pagara (40-3-1, 25KOs) will be facing a new opponent in Wellelm Reyk (19-17-4, 5KOs) of Indonesia on the undercard of “Pinoy Pride 44: Laban sa Leyte” this June 9 at the Maasin City gym in Southern Leyte.
Pagara was originally set to take on Geisler AP (12-10-1, 9KOs) but ALA Promotions decided to pull the Indon pug out of the show for accepting another fight. In fact, Geisler fought to a split draw with fellow countryman Ray Rajadjo just last Saturday night.
Still, the eight-bout card will be topbilled by Jason’s younger brother ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara (29-1, 20KOs), who will slug it out with Laryea Gabriel Odio (20-3-2, 14KOs) of Ghana in a 12-round rumble for the WBO International super bantamweight title.
In another featured bout, rising ALA Gym star Jeo ‘Santino’ Santisima (15-2, 13KOs) of Masbate will go up against Likit Chane (16-5, 10KOs) of Thailand for the WBO Oriental junior featherweight championship.
Former two-time world title challenger ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (31-3, 17KOs) of Bago City and Melvin Jerusalem of Bukidnon will also spice up the slambang event.
Villanueva will trade blows with Renren Tesoro (16-12-3, 4KOs) of Taguig City, while Jerusalem will mix it up with Philip Luis Cuerdo of Mandaluyong City.
In a special attraction, Fil-Japanese Go Hosaka will take on Holly Quinones of General Santos City.
The rest of the matches pit Joyjoy Formentera of Maribojoc, Bohol versus Lobert Bayo of Mandaue City, and Jeno Macapobe of Toledo City opposite Carlito Antaran of GenSan.— EBV (FREEMAN)