Jason Pagara / Photo by Ryan Songalia –
DAVAO, Philippines – Filipino junior welterweight Jason Pagara capped the “Pinoy Pride 29″ card at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym with a second-round blowout win over Cesar Chavez.
Pagara (35-2, 22 knockouts) dropped Chavez (24-8, 12 KOs) twice in the first round and once more in the second before referee Bruce McTavish stopped it at the 1:56 mark, sending Chavez to his eighth loss, all by knockout.
Pagara dropped Chavez early in the fight with a left hook to the body. With a knee on the canvas, Chavez took another hard right hand that gave him a good reason to stay down.
Chavez rose up, living up to his nickname “El Dolar,” which he says was given to him because he goes up and down like the foreign exchange rate. He was dropped again later in the round on a flurry of punches, perhaps feeling overwhelmed. The final knockdown in the next stanza came off of a lunging left hook from Pagara.
With the Sinaloa, Mexico, native down on the canvas and holding his right eye, the referee saw no reason to continue the bout.
“I’m ready for the next level,” said the Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, native Pagara, who has now won eight straight since his upset loss to Rosbel Montoya in 2011.
With virtually no domestic fighters in his weight class, Pagara’s opposition has been questionable at times. He says he wants to test himself against more formidable opposition, namely RING junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia and former 140-pound unified champion Amir Khan.
Pagara’s promoter, Michael Aldegeur of ALA Boxing, says the plan is to relocate Pagara to the United States this year to train in the Los Angeles area, where he can find the necessary sparring to improve.
Aldegeur says Pagara will fight on the company’s first U.S. card in San Diego on May 23 before having a step-up fight at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., in September.
“Jason has always been someone who has been in question,” said Aldegeur. “People ask if he’s the real deal. When he comes up and fights some of the big names, that’s when we’ll be able to get some real answers.”
Pagara’s trainer, Edito Villamor, doesn’t put much stock into Chavez’s past shortcomings, however. He feels Pagara had a job to do it and accomplished it early.
“We don’t base off of the record. Mexicans are Mexican fighters. He got hit,” said Villamor.
Servania scores lackluster win
If Pagara’s opponent brought out the best in him, Juan Luis Hernandez brought out the worst in Genesis Servania. For twelve rounds, Servania chased after the Tijuana, Mexico, resident in a fight that drew boos from the crowd on several occasions.
The 23-year-old Servania, who is currently rated the No. 1 contender to WBO junior featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (who also holds the RING and WBA belts), was unable to keep his three-fight knockout streak alive as Hernandez came to survive.
Servania (26-0, 11 KOs) started the bout strongly, landing effective left hooks to the body. His jab was absent for long stretches of the bout, however, and at times Servania left himself open for Hernandez’s counterpunches.
The fight seemed on the verge of becoming an all-out brawl in Round 10 when a left hook and a right hand turned Hernandez (17-4-1, 9 KOs) along the ropes. As Servania went to capitalize, Hernandez took chances to counter. Both fighters traded blows until the final bell.
“The opponent is not fighting. He kept running, he was on survival mode,” said Villamor of Servania,rated No. 4 by THE RING at 122 pounds, afterward. “Genesis’ performance was good; his opponent was the problem.”
Villanueva outguns former champ Miranda
Arthur Villanueva rejuvenated his image as a future contender with a one-sided drubbing of faded former WBO flyweight champion Julio Cesar Miranda in a ten-round junior bantamweight fight. Two judges saw it for Villanueva by the score 98-93 while the third scored it 99-91.
Villanueva (27-0, 14 KOs), who is rated No. 6 by THE RING at 115 pounds, controlled the bout early, digging hooks and straight rights to Miranda’s midsection that slowed the 34-year-old down later on.
Despite being clearly shopworn, Miranda (38-12-2, 29 KOs) remained tough and tricky throughout, switching stances and throwing punches from awkward angles that found their way around Villanueva’s guard.
There were no knockdowns in the bout and Miranda eventually adapted to Villanueva’s power to coast to his inevitable defeat.
The win provides a much-needed boost for Villanueva after flat performances in his last two bouts against Fernando Aguilar and Henry Maldonado.
“I never mind that before,” said Villanueva, when asked if his confidence was affecting by those outings. “I only focused for my fight with Miranda.”
Miranda, who won a flyweight title in 2010 and made three defenses before losing it in a close bout with Brian Viloria, has now lost six of his last nine bouts, with one draw.
Earlier in the night, 19-year-old Mark Magsayo (10-0, 8 KOs) of Tagbilaran City scored a fifth-round technical knockout of Thai Sukkasem Kietyongyuth (13-4, 8 KOs) at the 2:19 mark in a ten-round featherweight bout.
Magsayo set the first knockdown up with a left hook to the body-left uppercut to the chin sequence which blinded Kietyongyuth to the right hand that followed up. The Thai rose up quickly but was met by a two-fisted barrage from Magsayo, who pounded the body to set up bigger punches up top.
As Kietyongyuth retreated to the ropes, Magsayo uncorked an overhand right that sent the Thai head-first out of the ring. The referee immediately stopped the fight without a count.
Fight fans can get a glimpse into the first major promotion outside the Philippines of the famed ALA Promotions as they team up with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN and its widely watched global network TFC or The Filipino Channel when Viva Sports features the “Duel in Dubai” on its top-rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event” on PBO over Sky Cable at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday with a replay at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The fight card features three of ALA Gym’s most exciting fighters led by nundefeated WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Genesis “Azukal” Servania, charismatic junior lightweight Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista hot on the comeback trail and undefeated King Arthur Villanueva against tough and tested opponents from Mexico and Nicaragua, known hotbeds of boxing in Latin America.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said the “Duel in Dubai” promises to be a deadly battle that is expected to thrill the large community of Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates.
The special will feature brief interviews with the ALA fighters, short training clips and highlights of some of their fights and those of their opponents.
Servania’s opponent Jose “Matador” Cabrera has fought some of the big names including WBO super flyweight champion Omar Andres Narvaez and WBC champion Tomas Rojas.
Highlights of the Cabrera-Narvaez fight and the WBO super flyweight clash between Cabrera and unbeaten Daniel “Bad Boy” Rosas which ended in a split draw will highlight the special which will also include glimpses of Servania’s fights against former WBA super flyweight champion Alexander Munoz and his 2nd round TKO of Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion of Panama.
Bautista faces one of the toughest opponents in his comeback bid in the person of WBC Mundo Hispano champion Jose Juan “Piquet” Martinez who has an awesome record of 15 knockouts in 19 wins with only one defeat.
Fight fans will get to see highlights of Martinez’ thrilling battle with Carlos “Torito” Jimenz and Nicaragua’s WBO Fedbol super flyweight champion Henry “El Crespo” Maldonado in action against Fernando Aguilar and Liborio Solis.
Short training footage of Maldonado who clashes with King Arthur Villanueva will also spice up the special.
The fights will be telecast by ABS-CBN on Saturday, September 6.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
THE up-and-coming young stars of the ALA Gym will get much needed exposure in a huge boxing event at the posh Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila next weekend.
Unbeaten prospects Albert Pagara, Mark Magsayo and Melvin Gumban will be featured in the undercard of Pinoy Pride XXIV – “The Future is Now”.
“We feel that it is important for our young prospects to build their confidence and to be exposed as they prepare themselves to headline Idol,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.
The 20-year-old Pagara (18-0, 12 KOs) faces one of his stiffest tests, former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super flyweight titleholder Isack Junior (22-4-2, 8 KOs), in a 10-round fight.
Magsayo (4-0, 3 KOs), 18, is up against struggling Roy-Roy Sumugat (9-9-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round fight, while 23-year-old Gumban (15-0, 7 KOs) is taking on journeyman Dino Lelis (10-11-2, 5 KOs).
Pagara, Magsayo and Gumban are all included in ALA Promotions’ roster of young fighters that will be featured in their boxing show “Idol.”
“They have the potential but only time can tell,” said Aldeguer.
Also in the undercard are other up-and-coming boxers taking on each other.
Genesis Servania (23-0, 9 KOs) is seeing action in the main event against one of his toughest opponents to date, former world champion Alexander Muñoz (36-5, 28 KOs), in a WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight title defense.
Arthur Villanueva (24-0, 14 KOs) is featured in the co-main event against Mexican former world title contender Juan Hernandez (23-3, 16 KOs). He is defending his WBO International super flyweight strap.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2014/02/19/ala-gives-upstarts-needed-exposure-329215
MANDAUE CITY, CEBU – Blue chip prospects Genesis “Azukal” Servania (R) and “King” Arthur Villanueva (L) will be featured in the 24th edition of the popular “PINOY PRIDE” boxing series at the Solaire Resort and Casino.
Servania (23W-0L, 9 KO’s) will stake his WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title against Alexander “El Explosivo” Muñoz (36-5, 28 KO’s) of Venezuela.
The official launching of the card billed as “The Future is Now” was held Wednesday noon at the Copenhagen Hotel and Residences. During the event, ALA Promotions Pres and CEO Michael Aldegeuer stated that this fight will determine if Servania is ready to fight for a world title. He said that Servania is in search of a career defining fight and Muñoz, a former WBA super flyweight champ, will certainly provide a tough test.
Muñoz has lost to quality fighters like Cristian Mijares, Koki Kameda and Leo Santa Cruz. This will be Servania’s second stint as a Pinoy Pride headliner and his first as a main event event boxer in Metro Manila. Last October in Cebu City, Servania, who was recently picked as the best boxer by the WBO, knocked out Panamanian Rafael Concepcion in two rounds.Servania recently arrived from his training stint in the U.S and Mexico
This is the second PINOY PRIDE event set at the Solaire. Last July 13, 2013, the venue was the site of Merlito Sabillo’s successful defense of his WBO 105 lb division title against Jorle Estrada of Colombia.
Villanueva (24-0, 14 KO’s), the reigning WBO International super flyweight titlist, will be the co-main feature against Mexico’s Juan “Churritos” Hernandez. Villanueva had a stellar year, beating another erstwhile undefeated Filipino prospect, Marco Demecillo by unanimous decision and stopping Mexican boxers Arturo Badillo and Edgar Martinez.
Hernandez owns a disqualification win against Filipino minimumweight contender Denver Cuello and a split decision win over Moises Fuentes. This is the same Fuentes who fought Donnie Nietes to a draw here in Cebu last year. In 2011, Hernandez lost to Kazuto Ioka of Japan in his attempt to win the WBC minimumweight title. He also lost to Ramon Garcia Hirales by 8th round KO last year.
L-R: Trainer Editor Villamor, Arthur Villanueva, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and Genesis Servania during Wednesday’s presscon at the Copenhagen Hotel & Residences in Mandadue City. Photo by Dong Secuya.
The undercards will also showcase another unbeaten ALA boxer, “Prince” Albert Pagara, who will fight Isack Junior of Indonesia.
Rounding up the undercards are Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo vs Royroy Sumugat (6 rounds), Melvin Gumban vs Dino Lelis (8 rounds), Vic Saludar vs Philip Luis Cuerdo (6 rounds) and Reyme Castillano Aleye of Cuba vs Justo Bornilla.
Aleye had an impressive showing against Rodel Wenceslao last month during the Sinulog Festival here in Cebu.
FUTURE CARDS
ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer also announced their plans for this year’s PINOY PRIDE events. They will have an event in Davao City this April 5 with Jason Pagara as the headliner. The venue of the rematch between Nietes and Fuentes is still under negotiation but if it will be held here, they plan to stage the event at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 3. There is a June 20 event penned for Dubai and a July card in San Diego.The California State Athletic Commission has approved ALA Promotions’ plan to stage a boxing show there this year.
Does this mean there will be fewer big boxing events for Cebu?
Aldeguer acknowledged PINOY PRIDE’s origins and growth in Cebu and thanked the Cebu media for their continuing support. He also stated that since Cebu boxing fans have been watching so many big events throughout the years, they have learned to expect higher quality match-ups. Cebu, however, is in need of a bigger boxing venue, bigger than the Waterfront Hotel. There is a huge arena under construction at the South Reclamation area and this could very well host the next world title bouts here in the country’s fight capital.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
EDGAR Martinez may be a last-minute replacement opponent for unbeaten Arthur Villanueva. But despite taking the fight on short notice, he is confident that he will shock the world by scoring a big upset over the world-rated Filipino prospect.
“Villanueva, see my fist, this will be the last thing that you will see. Mexicans are the best fighters in the world,” Martinez said yesterday in a press conference at the Formo Restaurant and Lounge.
Villanueva and Martinez are fighting for the vacant World Boxing Organization International super flyweight belt at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino this Saturday night.
“When I fight, I fight intelligently. I will try to knock him out. He’s a strong guy but I don’t care if I win by knockout or decision. I just want to win,” said Martinez, who has won his last five fights by knockout.
Martinez has fought two renowned boxers in Mexico, former interim world champion Sammy Gutierrez and Ivan Morales, the legendary Erik Morales’ younger brother. He didn’t last long with both and was knocked out in the first by Ivan and in the third by Gutierrez.
A win over Villanueva should catapult Martinez’s career to new heights because the 24-year-old Bacolod City native is ranked in all four major boxing sanctioning bodies – No. 2 in the WBO, No. 5 in the International Boxing Federation, No. 10 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 13 in the World Boxing Council.
Martinez is 16-7 with 10 knockouts, while Villanueva is 23-0 with 13 knockouts.
Unbeaten Genesis Servania faces off with former interim WBA super flyweight titleholder Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion for the vacant WBO super bantamweight strap in the main event of Pinoy Pride XXII – “The Revenge.”
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2013/10/24/i-will-shock-world-310225
By Ronnie Nathanielsz –
Undefeated 22 year old Genesis Servania, regarded as one of the more promising prospects from the famed ALA Gym faces a tough challenge from Rafael “El Torito” Concepcionr who scored a 10th round knockout over AJ “Bazooka in a WBA super flyweight interim title fight at the Cebu C oliseum on July 26, 2008.
The WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title defense of Servania will take place at the at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on October 26 and will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN on its top-rating “Pinoy Pride” series over Channel 2 and will also be carried globally on The Filipino Channel which is widely watched especially in the Middle East.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who was with vice president Dennis Canete in a luncheon meeting with ABS-CBN’s Peter Musngi informed the Manila Standard that they had received the signed contract from Concepcion only on Wednesday. Concepcion had also faced Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and dropped a twelve round unanimous decision on August 15, 2009.
In case the Concepcion fight didn’t push through ALA Promotions was considering featherweight Ruben “Canelito” Tamayo as a replacement just in case Concepcion failed to send them the signed contract.
Tamayo is coming of a majority draw against undefeated Filipino Jun Doliguez last July 20 in Mexico and is an accomplished fighter with a record of 22-4-4- with 16 knockouts and gave the fancied Doliguez a hard fight.
The 22 year old Servania is coming off an exciting war with Japan’s Konosuke Tomiyama on the undercard of the WBO flyweight title fight which Milan Melindo lost after a gallant stand against Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada who had earlier won the title from WBO/WBA champion Brian Viloria.
In an action-packed battle Servania was dropped twice in the opening round but came back to drop Tomiyana late in the opening round and once again in the third before winning a 9th round technical decision after being cut on the eyelid because of an accidental head-butt and was ruled unfit to continue.
http://www.boxingscene.com/genesis-servania-tough-with-rafael-concepcion-10-26–69945
ALA Promotions is set to embark into a Philippine-wide tour starting this November.
People from the provinces all over the Philippines will finally get the opportunity to meet the ALA Stars Two-division World Champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, WBO World # 1 and world championship bound AJ “Bazooka” Banal, IBF World # 4 Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, WBO World # 1 Milan “El Metodico” Melindo, WBO International Jr. Welterweight Champion Jason “El Nino” Pagara, WBO Asia Pacific Champion Genesis “Azukal” Servania and WBA #2, WBA and WBO # 3 Rocky Road Warrior” Fuentes will take part of this tour in selected provinces throughout Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
ALA STARS PROVINCIAL TOUR is part of ALA Promotions way of giving back to the nationwide boxing fans that have supported the ALA Boxing Stars and have successfully made the Pinoy Pride boxing series featured on ABS-CBN Channel 2 the number 1 Sunday daytime television program for the 5th straight time.
The Pinoy Pride boxing mega series on television has beaten regular Sunday daytime ratings frontrunners, ASAP 2012, Kapuso Movie Festival, The Buzz and other celebrity driven television programs on television putting out double figure ratings way ahead of the aforementioned shows.
The ALA STARS PROVINCIAL TOUR likewise aims to give the loyal Filipino boxing fans the chance to see their favorite ALA boxing champions in the flesh.
This ALA Promotions roadshow will allow the people in the provinces to experience live quality action between the ALA Stars against international competition in action packed non-title match-ups.
These boxing bouts are to prepare the ALA Stars for the bigger Pinoy Pride world-class events in the future that will surely be a treat for boxing fans and would be fans alike in the selected provinces where the ALA STARS TOUR make stops.
“This is ALA Promotions and our fighters way of saying thank you to the loyal boxing fans from the far provinces that have supported us through the years and has contributed to the remarkable ratings of Pinoy Pride” Said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer.
Mexican boxers Jorge “El Feroz” Pazos and Angel “Arcangel” Martinez together with manager and promoter Jesus Edmundo Gaytan answered questions from Cebu sportswriters in a press conference held today at the Patio Isabel in Talamban.
Pazos (21W-3L, 14 KO’s) is set to face undefeated ALA Boxer Genesis “Azukal” Servania (18W-0L, 6 KO’s) for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight title. Martinez (18W-2L-1D, 13 KO’s) on the other hand will face Jimrex “The Executioner” Jaca (39W-6L-3D, 19 KO’s).
The trio said that they are well prepared and win or lose, fans will certainly enjoy the fights and they will be competitive.
“Our two boxers have a bright future and they trained hard,” Gaytan said, “We will give fans a spectacular fight.”
“I trained for two and a half months,” Martinez said, “I have seen videos of Jaca. My strategy is to fight from a distance and wiat for my chance to hit hard. Jaca is known in my country because he fought Juan Manuel Marquez. Jaca is a good boxer and a southpaw, so I will also learn from him in this fight.”
Martinez has also lost to a quality boxer, Lucas Mathysse. “He was very fast and strong and knew how to push and hold.”
Gaytan said that Martinez was competitive against Mathysse in the early rounds but the body blows really hurt him and made him fade. In the later rounds.
Pazos for his part said “I came well prepared, I am also considered a promising fighter in Mexico. So this will be a battle between two promising fighters. I have seen Servania fight. He is a good fighter, very strong and very fast. This will be a spectacular fight, the most important fight of my career.”
Mike Lopez, the ever ready cornerman for Latino boxers here in Cebu, will be in the corner of Pazos and Martinez together with Magdaleno Montoya from Team Montoya.
Gaytan also commented about the fact that only Fernando Montiel and Rosbel Montoya are the only Mexican boxers who have won in Cebu. “80-90 percent of Filipino boxers also lose in Mexico. It must be the travel, climate, diet and change of time zones.”
Rosbel “Lobito” Montoya (36-4-1, 30 KO’s) will face Cebu sportswriters on Wednesday. He is scheduled to fight Jason “El Niño” Pagara (28-2, 17 KO’s) in the main event of Pinoy Pride XV: The Rematch. They will vie for the WBO International jr. welterweight title.
The weigh-in will be held at the SM Cebu City Mall on Friday noon and fight day will be at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on Saturday.
By: Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
Two of the three Mexican protagonists that will be seeing action this Saturday, August 18, 2012 for the Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico THE REMATCH will arrive Cebu, Philippines today August 13, 2012.
Mexicans Jorge Pazos and Angel “Arcanghel” Martinez is scheduled to land at Mactan Cebu International Airport 1050 am via Philippine Airlines Flight PR 853.
Team Mexico, that will be headed by party spoiler Rosbel Montoya who beat young Philippine prospect Jason Pagara last year will be joining his countrymen Jorge Pazos and Angel Martinez tomorrow when he is set to arrive 11:55 pm. Montoya will again face Pagara in a mouth-watering rematch that will either prove Montoya’s win was no fluke or will Jason have his way and exact revenge. This bout will be for the WBO International Junior Lightweight Championship.
Jorge Pazos will be seeing action against one of the Philippines more talented prospect Genesis “Azukal” Servania in a 12 round title bout that will be having the WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight title at stake. Servania will be gunning for his 2nd straight title as he just recently won the WBC International Silver Super Bantamweight Championship against the grizzled and tested Genao “Poblanito” Garcia in a spectacular 12 round TKO performance.
Completing the Mexican trio will be Angel Martinez that is out to prove to Jimrex Jaca that his youth wont be a hindrance in helping their team win this battle with the Filipinos. Martinez will be facing Jaca in a non-title bout.
Pinoy Pride XV” Philippines vs Mexico THE REMATCH is brought to you by ALA Promotions and ABS CBN Sports happening at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino on August 18, 2012. Tickets are available in all SM City Cebu and Consolacion Customer Service Counters, ALA Promotions Head Office (032.2364611), ALA Boxing and Fitness Gym at the BTC, Cebu, USA Sports and Bisaya Ispisyal outlets, Gaisano Tabunok, Mooon Café @ the I.T. Park in Lahug, Cebu City and at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
This ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports presentation of Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico THE REMATCH will be telecast via ABS-CBN Channel 2 1015 am and replay at 615 Pm on Studio 23 the same day.