Pagara to see action in June

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 12 ranked super bantamweight Albert Pagara will return to the ring in June.

“My manager told me that I’ll be fighting in June,” Pagara told SunStar Cebu. “I still don’t know who my opponent is and where the venue is.”

Pagara is being handled by D4G Promotions and MTK Global along with his former ALA Gym teammate and four-division world champion Donnie Nietes.

The 27-year-old Pagara last fought on Dec. 18, 2020 in Omega Boxing Promotions’ “Kumbati” show. He outclassed veteran Vigil Puton via a convincing unanimous decision after coming off a one-year hiatus.

Pagara is now training under the tutelage of Rey Caitom Jr. at the newly built Caitom Boxing Fitness Gym in Lapu-Lapu City.

“I’m very focused on my training right now. I’m living here in Caitom’s house, and I go home only every weekend,” said Pagara.

Pagara is currently concentrating on his conditioning and is sparring with veteran fighter Junny Salogaol, who’s also a trainer at the gym.

As he progresses in training camp, Pagara hopes to spar with his former ALA teammates — the likes of Jeo Santisima and KJ Cataraja.

“I want to spar with them soon,” he said. “But I’m focused on trimming down in weight.”

Pagara was supposed to see action in Dubai on April 3, 2021, but his fight got cancelled.

Pagara is still one of the most promising fighters from the Philippines. He owns wins over veteran Raul Hirales and former world title contender Komgrich Nantapetch.

Pagara is 33-1 with 23 knockouts, wherein his only career loss was in the hands of former world title challenger Cesar Juarez in 2016. (EKA)