ALBERT PAGARA COMEBACK FIGHT WON’T HAPPEN IN CEBU

April 20, 2024 Community Billboard

La Trinidad’s newest resident will not make his return to the ring in Cebu on June 15 but will instead showcase his skill that netted him 34 wins, 24 of which from knockout, and a lone defeat in a much smaller venue in Iloilo. The Prince Albert Pagara returns to the ring on June 15, some 17 months after his last fight to face a Chinese rival for a regional title in Passi Arena in Iloilo instead of fighting at the posh NUSTAR Resort and Casino at the Soth Road
Properties in Cebu City. Pagara seeks the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asia lightweight title against Chinese Yelejian Aketeliete (8-3-1 win-lossdraw).

The decision to move the fight from the six star casino was made by the organizers to save on costs This was after organizers decided to hold the fight instead at the Passi Arena in Iloilo apparently to save on costs. Passi City is 57 kilometers north of Iloilo City which will host the fight dubbed as “Thrilla in Passi City: Return of the Prince” which will also feature several prospects such as John Kevien Jimenez and Jason Aranas whose opponents are yet to be
announced. The Passi City fight is Pagara’s first since his November 22 fight against Allan Villanueva which resulted in a fourth-round stoppage in favor of the Philippine boxing’s top prospects before the onslaught of the Covid-19

pandemic. One of two boxing brothers, who terrorized the lighter weight divisions of the sport in the country, The Prince made debut in January 15, 2011 with a technical knockout win over Sandy Cajli. He then racked up 25 wins before he was stopped by Oscar Juarez in the 15thsecond of the eight round. The two met for the World Boxing
Organization bantamweight title at the San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, California in July 9, 2016. Pagara even knocked down the Mexican in the first round until the fateful eighth. The former ALA Promotions prospect bounced
back with eight wins. Pagara last year signed a two year contract with the La Trinidad, Benguet based Pinoy Boxing
Prodigy. Aketeliete has an 8-3-1 (win-loss-draw) record with two knockouts and will fight in the Philippines for the first time.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN