Jason Pagara out to prove true worth with US campaign starting in May
By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY
After a stunning knockout win, Jason Pagara made it to the headlines of the sports pages anew and became an instant celebrity in Davao City with his performance in the main event of Pinoy Pride 29.
Captivated by his charm and savvy boxing skills, Pagara was mobbed by Davao fans as soon as he stepped out of the ring following his sensational second round stoppage of Mexican challenger Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez deep into Saturday night, each of them wanting to hold him and take souvenir photos with the Filipino champion with their gadgets.
But, amid the pandemonium and excitement over his latest victory, the young Pagara left so many questions than answers as to his true worth as a fighter today.
To ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer, the answers to those questions will not be revealed until Pagara fights the big names in his weight division.
“I think Jason’s one guy that is always in question. People ask him if he’s really the real deal because of his weight division,” Aldeguer told reporters. “Jason’s been knocking guys out, but until he comes to fight the big names, that’s when we pick up some answers.”
Is Jason Pagara for real?
Has he reached world-class status with his latest victory?
Out to prove his boxer’s real worth, Aldeguer is now bringing the 22-year-old Pagara to the US for the first ALA Promotions card in America come May 23 in California.
Aldeguer said he will fly Pagara out of the country after the March 28 Pinoy Pride 30 in Manila and have him undergo rigid training in time for the May 23 card. After this, Pagara will fight a big name probably in September or October, according to the top ALA Promotions honcho.
Before the US campaign take place, Pagara made heads turn already in Davao City with that sterling performance at the USEP Gym.
Pagara, quick with his feet and fast with his hands, dropped Chavez twice in the opening round with vicious body blows and head shots before stopping his opponent in the second with a jarring left hook.
The final punch dropped Chavez to his knees and New Zealander referee Bruce McTavish waived off the bout at the 1:56 mark, giving Pagara a TKO triumph amid the cheers of the highly-appreciative Davao crowd.
Just like that, Pagara, called El Niño, retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) international junior welterweight crown and improved his record to 35-2 with 22 knockouts.
