The Pagara brothers, light welterweight Jason and younger brother Prince Albert Pagara and Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo were scheduled to leave for Los Angeles last night along with ALA Gym head trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor to step up training for their US debut at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on October 17.
They, along with WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes who is scheduled to leave in the middle of September, will headline ALA Promotions breakthrough venture into the American boxing scene, will train at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach and will hook up with respected strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson.
Prior to their departure Jason Pagara who is ranked No, 2 in the world by the WBO, undefeated IBF International super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara and unbeaten IBF Youth featherweight champion Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo, worked out at the ALA Gym along Balete Drive in Quezon City.
The three young and promising ALA fighters provided us an idea of how determined they are to put on a show in the 33rd edition of the eminently successful ?Pinoy Pride? series in cooperation with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN and TFC, The Filipino Channel which has a huge audience especially in the Middle East.
Jason Pagara told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that he is ready as ready can be because this is a big opportunity to entertain Filipino and Fil-American fans who are expected to support the inaugural ALA promotion in a big way.
Jason (36-2, 22 KO?s) conceded that in his last fight in Dubai against Ramiro Alcaraz whom he beat via an 8th round technical decision his timing was a little off but since he is ranked No, 2 by the WBO and ? is close to a world title fight? which will depend on ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, his training is 200 percent.
He welcomed the chance to train in the US because here there are hardly any sparring partners at his weight in the Philippines but that in LA there are many sparring partners at 140 pounds.
Prince Albert (24-0, 17 KO?s), Jason?s younger brother said ?I?m okay na okay and ready to fight.? Referring to his 1st round TKO victory in Dubai over Jesus Rios, Prince Albert said he hit him with one big punch and that was it.
He said his ?speed and power were fine? but conceded he was ?a little short on stamina because he was only 80 percent ready? but once he gets to the US he?ll quickly reach top form after he begins sparring.
Magsayo (11-0, 9 KO?s) said his condition was ?better than magnificent and that one week after his last fight? in which he registered a 5th round TKO over tough Rafael Reyes in Cebu last July 11 said he ?resumed training.?
He said the sparring with Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire was a lesson because as a five division world champion he could learn from Nonito? pointing out that he ?sparred not to win but to learn.?
All three boxers said Curson?s training wasn?t too difficult and they are ready to get to work and to put on a show while at the same time expressing their gratitude to ALA Promotions for giving them such a great opportunity which will be a boost to their careers.
Photo (L-R): Mark Magsayo, Jason Pagara, the author and Albert Pagara at the ALA Gym Balete Drive in Quezon City Saturday.
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