Pagara: US here I come

DUBAI – Next stop for Albert Pagara: Carson City, California.

After a smashing international debut here late Friday evening, the young and undefeated Filipino boxer announced his readiness to bring his act to the next level.

“America na,” said the boxer who has the skills, the charm, the swagger to make big someday, inside the dressing room of the Dubai World Trade Center.

His promoter, Michael Aldeguer, said Pagara will headline the first Pinoy Pride boxing card in the United States on Oct. 17 at the StubHub Center.

“Yes, he will be there with (featherweight) Mark Magsayo. It’s time to bring Albert to the United States,” said Aldeguer amid the celebration.

Magsayo is 11-0 with nine knockouts, and is just as exciting to watch.

It only took Albert two minutes to dispose of Mexico’s Jesus Rios. In the opening seconds, he landed a left hook to the face of his challenger.

“Nung pumasok yung hook, sabi ko, ‘Ay groge agad.’ Kaya tinuluyan ko na (When my hook landed I knew he staggered so I went for it),” he told The STAR.

“Nakita ko agad yung opening. Kaya binanatan ko na (I found the opening so I finished him off),” added Albert, nicknamed the “Prince.”

By the time his hands were raised in victory, it was almost 3 a.m. Manila time.

Pagara left the venue, an exhibit hall the size of a football field, with his shining IBF junior-featherweight belt wrapped around his shoulder.

Over 4,100 fans filled the giant space.

The flamboyant fighter, his hair dyed gold, was mobbed by Pinoy fans. In the dressing room, a few fans managed to sneak in for some pictures with him.

Pagara had to beg off from fans, calling him “Idol,” who almost chased him for more pictures because he had to run across the street from the venue to a waiting team bus.

“Masaya ako napasaya ko kayo (I’m happy I made you happy),” he told the fans.

“Grabe ang fans dito (The fans here are great,” he added.

Rios went down twice. He managed to beat the count of referee Bruce McTavish the first time, but couldn’t make it the second time he was floored.

A flurry of punches from Pagara, accurate and thrown at great speed, ended the fight.

It took Rios, who came in three pounds over the limit of 122 lb, more than five minutes to recover from the brutal knockout.

Ring officials did not leave Rios’ side as he lay on the canvas, and when he got up, he was already wearing an oxygen mask, not knowing who or what hit him.

The crowd cheered upon seeing Rios up on his feet, and Pagara came up to the Mexican, tapping him twice on his shoulder.

The 21-year-old has never been to the United States.

“Excited ako lumaban sa America (I’m excited to fight in the US),” he said, adding that it’s time to brush up on his English.

“Practice na tayo (Let’s practice),” he told The STAR.

Then someday, he said, he wants the world title.

But it’s one step at a time.