DUBAI // “Duel in Dubai 2” is back at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday.
The Filipino Channel (TFC) together with ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports + Action are set to bring another exciting Filipino boxing bout in the UAE.
The event is headlined by “Prince” Albert Pagara, who is one of the most recognised Filipino fighters in the world after the great Manny Pacquiao and Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire.
The undefeated Pagara (23-0) is scheduled to meet the hard-hitting Mexican Jesus “Chito” Rios (31-7-1) in the main event for the IBF intercontinental junior featherweight championship.
At the news conference in Dubai, a war of words was exchanged between Pagara and Rios on who will knock out the other first.
“It will be a good fight, I will knock him out by the sixth round, this fight will be over by then,” Pagara said.
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Rios, who failed to make weight at the weigh-in, he weighed in 3.8lbs over the 122lbs weight limit, said: “He can say that, but I will knock him out in the fifth round. I am prepared, I trained well and I am ready.”
The event will be televised on Pay Per View on OSN and TFC subscribers in the UAE or online on TFC.tv. It will not be aired on any local channels in the UAE.
Tickets will be available through Virgin Megastores and at the gate from 1pm.
Pagara is expecting the UAE Filipinos to show their support today. “I am expecting a packed house at the fight, I’m sure all my fans and all the Filipinos in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will come to show their support. Not just for me but for all the Filipino fighters on the card,” he said.
Pagara is undefeated, but has no plans to sign for a bigger boxing promotions company to build his profile globally.
“I am very happy with ALA boxing promotions, they are doing a great job with me,” he said.
“I would like to continue with them. I am fighting in the US at the Stub Hub centre in October, so they are already taking me international; I am fighting in Dubai now and then the US.”
Pagara said Pacquiao has been an inspiration.
“Manny Pacquiao is my idol, I mean he has done so much for the people of Filipinos, not just in boxing but in charity and helping them through his political strengths,” he said.
“I met him in Manila at an award show, and he is very inspirational.”
The undefeated IBF champion, wants all the Filipino fans to come and support the event.
“I love all my Filipino fans in Dubai and the UAE, I want them to come support us tomorrow,’ he said. “I promise I will knock out Rios within six rounds, it’s going to be all action from me.”
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