Pagara TKOs Chavez in 2nd Round; 3 Pinoy Boxers Win in Pinoy Pride 29

Davao City (PNA) — World Boxing Organization International junior welterweight champion Jason “El Nino” Pagara retained his title by knocking out Mexican challenger Cesar Chavez in 1:56 of the second round in the Pinoy Pride 29: Fist of Fury Saturday night at the USEP Gym in Davao City.

Pagara first knocked down the Mexican twice in the early opening round but was saved by the bell.

In the second round, the native of Cagayan de Oro City immediately went to the body before landing a whooping right hook to the head that sent down Chavez grimacing in pain.

Chavez tried to stand up but only to fell down again on the canvas with his forehead hitting first forcing referee Bruce McTavish to stop the scheduled 12-round title-fight.

“Malakas talaga si Pagara (Pagara is really strong),” said ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor.

Meanwhile, WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight champion Genesis “Azukal” Servania also retained his title by a convincing unanimous decision over Mexican challenger Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez.

Servania tried to mix it up with Hernandez, who opted to keep on avoiding the undefeated Filipino fighter from Bago City after the second round. According to his female trainer Monica Abedith Rico, Hernadez injured his right wrist during the second round.

Servania, however, kept on chasing Hernandez but failed to land the knockout punch. Both fighters earlier predicted to win by a knockout.

“King” Arthur Villanueva also remained undefeated by scoring a similar unanimous decision against former world champion Juan Cesar “Pingo” Miranda.

The fight, however, turned out to be more exciting compared to the Servania-Hernandez championship bout. Miranda showed his old form in the first five rounds but slowed down in the remaining rounds as Villanueva completely dominated the fight with his stinging left-right combinations.

Villanueva said that he had learned so much from his fight with Miranda.

“Kailangan ko pa ma-improve ang aking stamina at diskarte (I still need to improve on my stamina and skills),” said Villanueva.

Promising Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo and Arjan “Spartan” Canillas also both remained undefeated after stopping their foreign rivals in the undercard.

Magsayo stopped former PABA super bantamweight champion Sukkasem Keityongyuth of Thailand in 2:10 of the fifth round by landing a whooping right cross to the head.

The smashing blow almost sent down the Thai out of the ring. Referee Elizardo Resma was able to hold on to the leg and immediately stopped the fight. It was Magsayo’s 10th win and 8th KO while Keithyongyuth only suffered his third loss against 13 wins.

Canillas, on the other hand, knocked out Stevi Ongen Ferdinandus of Indonesia in 2:48 of the 4th round. Canillas landed left-right body shots to send the Indonesian kneeling down at the corner and was counted out. Canillas now has 10 straight wins with no loss or draw.

The other results: Vic “Vicous” Saludar of South Cotabato won over Bukidnon’s Lester John Pronco by unanimous decision, Arnold Garde of Empire Boxing Gym Davao beat Bacolod’s Rafael Sueno by unanimous decision and Bukidnon’s Brian “Buhawi” Lobitania knocked out General Santos City’s in 50 seconds of the 2nd round.

The Pinoy Pride 29, a co-presentation of ABS-CBN was backed by Rajah Park Hotel, Fungisol, Infinity Suites, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, SM City Davao, Holiday Taxi and MMJJ Ads. (PNA) CTB/LCM/LTDR/LDP