Talavera vows to knock out Pagara in six rounds

CEBU, Philippines - Barely five hours after he set foot on enemy lines, Nicaraguan champion Yesner "Cuajadita" Talavera minced no words in declaring his intent of coming here - to win in a swift and decisive manner.

Exuding much confidence, Talavera (15-3-1, 4KOs) vowed to knock out the undefeated ALA Boxing Gym prospect 'Prince' Albert Pagara (25-0, 18KOs) in six rounds in their much awaited showdown headlining the 'Pinoy Pride 35:Stars of the Future" fightcard this Saturday night at the  Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Barangay Lahug.

At stake in their 12-round rumble is Pagara's WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title.

In an exclusive interview before their public workout yesterday at the Event Centre of SM City-Cebu, Talavera's trainer Rosendo Alvarez said through an interpreter that his prized ward is an all-around fighter and that Pagara must brace for tough, close-quarter battle.

"Talavera is an all-around boxer. He's a bell-to-bell fighter who loves to charge towards his opponent. He's a well-respected champion in Nicaragua that is why it is going to be a tough battle for him (Pagara)," Alvarez said.

One of the all-time boxing greats in Nicaragua,  Alvarez takes pride for being the only boxer to knock down Mexican ring legend Ricardo "Finito" Lopez and eventually held him to a split draw during their WBA minimumweight championship at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas on November 13, 1998.

"It's one of the best fights I fondly recall in my career," said the 'El Bufalo' from the Nicaraguan capital of Managua.

Alvarez, a former two-division world champion, said Talavera prepared hard for this bout and they are here on a business. "We have nothing else in mind than to win," he said.

When pressed if his ward is going for a knockout, Talavera butted in and quickly answered "in six" while motioning with his hand the No. 6 sign as if to affirm his fearless forecast

Aside from Talavera, Mexican brawlers Eduardo "Fierita' Montoya and Tony Rodriquez also performed a few rounds of shadow boxing before the fans.

Montoya (13-4-1,13KOs) will try to snatch the WBO Youth featherweight crown from Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo  (12-0, 10KOs), while Rodriguez (3-1, 1KO) will take on former amateur champion Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja (2-0, 2KOs), who is one of the brightest young prospects of ALA Stable.

In the supporting bouts of the slambang show presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, Melvin Jerusalem of Bukidnon will be put to a major test as he battles former IBF minimumweight titlist Florante “Little Pacquiao” Condes.

Ditto with  Jeo "Santino" Santisima of Masbate, who will collide against ex-Philippine super flyweight champion Marco Demecillo of Iligan City.

The rest of the action-packed card pits  Cebuano junior welterweight Elmo “Bisdak” Traya from the municipality of Tabuelan against Romeo Jakosalem of Davao City; Muhammad Radhwin of Singapore versus  Melchor Roda; and Esneth Domingo of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat opposite  Vic Ejercito of Mandaue City. (FREEMAN)