Albert Pagara suffers first loss, gets stopped by Cesar Juarez in 8

Ryan Songalia

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Albert Pagara suffers first loss, gets stopped by Cesar Juarez in 8
Albert Pagara drops Cesar Juarez in the first round but it's Cesar Juarez who has the last laugh

MANILA, Philippines – Previously unbeaten boxing prospect Albert Pagara suffered the first defeat of his career after he was knocked out by tough Mexican Cesar Juarez at :15 of round 8 on Saturday, July 9 (Sunday Manila time) at the San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, California. 

The 22-year-old Pagara (26-1, 18 knockouts) of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines scored a knockdown on a left hook at the end of round one but was worn down by the persistent body attack of Juarez (18-5, 14 KOs), who resides in Mexico City. Juarez, 24, had previously gained notoriety by pushing Nonito Donaire Jr to the limit in December in a losing effort for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title.


Pagara controlled the pace from the outside through the first few rounds, counterpunching effectively with right hands whenever Juarez attacked wildly. Juarez’s resolve remained undeterred by the knockdown, and by the fifth round he was backing Pagara to the ropes and working his opponent’s body. The body work gradually broke Pagara down.

Pagara appeared finished by the end of the seventh round and looked ready to be taken as he slumped out of the corner for the eighth. A 4-punch combination punctuated by a right hand sent Pagara crashing into his own corner. Pagara attempted to rise but fell forward onto his knees, where he took the 10-count.

Pagara had entered the fight rated number two by the WBO, number 4 by the IBF and number 10 by the WBC at 122 pounds.

Pagara was removed from the ring on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for observation, according to a source at ALA Promotions. Trainer Edito Villamor allayed concerns over his health, posting a photo of Pagara standing up and talking at the hospital.

In the co-featured bout, Albert’s older brother Jason Pagara, rated the number one in the world by the WBO at 140 pounds, finished Abraham Alvarez with a right hand flush on the chin at the :55 mark of round 3. Pagara (39-2, 24 KOs) has now won 12 straight while Alvarez (21-10-1, 10 KOs) suffers his 9th stoppage loss in his last 13 fights. – Rappler.com

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