Albert Pagara followed his elder brother in pursuing the sweet science. Born in Maasin City, like Jason he first trained under the watchful eyes of his father. Later on they migrated to Cagayan de Oro, where their boxing talents blossomed. Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno’s support added the much needed boost to the budding career of the Pagara brothers.
Albert had a very colorful amateur boxing career campaigning between the 48kg to 56kg weight division and won series of national titles from 2006 to 2010. He would have been groomed as a potential Asian Games gold medalist or even an Olympic medalist, but was not given the much needed break to join the international tournaments. He was also in a hurry to turn pro to follow the footsteps of Jason.
Nicknamed Prince Albert, he made his professional debut at the age of 16 where he stopped Sandy Cajil in the second round. Barely two weeks after his pro debut, he knocked Jeffrey Galsim in the first round.
From then on it was a busy campaign for the ALA Gym sensation, as he fought almost every month and was the busiest ALA campaigner and one of the most sought after. He fought in Maasin City and all his opponents never got to go the distance. He defeated Anthony Galigao (KO 1st Rd.), Rogen Flores (TKO 4th Rd.) and Henry Acha (KO 3rd Rd.) before the cheering hometown fans.
Every Pagara fight in Maasin, hundreds of barrio folks from Barangay Lib-og would watch him in action atop the ring.
He won his first fight against a foreign boxer, a Tanzanian named Shabani Madilu, 8 years his senior, by an eight-round unanimous decision, in Bacolod City. He knocked the African down thrice. It was only Albert’s eighth pro fight.
His second foreign opponent was Phupha Por Nobnom of Thailand whom he floored twice in the second round enroute to a TKO in that round.
“Prince” Albert made it a very short workout on Isack Junior of
Indonesia, who was knocked out by a left hook and a right straight to
the liver. Referee Ver Abainza counted him out at 2:41 last March 1 at
the Solaire Resorts and Casino.
Albert outclassed
Khunkhiri Wor Wisaruth of Thailand by 2nd round TKO at the undercard of
the Pinoy Pride XXI at Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino, Pasay City on
July 13 last year.
Albert joined Jason in the exciting professional co-main events of the ALA Promotions boxing fight card on April 11, 2023 at the Maasin City Gym. The exciting promotion called Maasin Pride V was financed by the city government of Maasin.
Idol Boxing Series Part 2 featuring Albert Pagara and Indonesian Ruben Manakane originally scheduled on November 15 last year was postponed due to Supertyphoon Yolanda. But this time the two siblings will thrill home fans with their extraordinary ring prowess which damaged a lot of opponents local and foreign.
The last time they were in Maasin together was during Maasin Pride IV last November 15, 2012. It was Albert's fourth fight in his hometown but the first with an imported foe.
Prince Albert did not fail thousands of hometown fans by shattering visiting Thai boxer Tawanrung Eausampan during the Maasin Pride IV at the Maasin City Gym. A quick solid uppercut on his jaw made the previously undefeated Thai boxer fell like timber to the canvas. Tawanrung was unconscious and referee Tony Pesons immediately stopped the fight at 1:45 of the second round.
“I saw an opening so I immediately grabbed the opportunity to connect my punch,” said Pagara when interviewed by Radio DYDM morning news. “He was a tough boxer and I could not afford to be complacent in the fight. I dedicate this win to the people of Maasin and to my parents. I thank the city government especially the mayor for supporting me along the way. I also thank Sir ALA (Antonio L. Aldeguer) for giving me the breaks.”
Prince Albert made an easier assignment in Skak Max. Nicknamed "Checkmate," it was the Indonesian who was checked mate by the younger Pagara when Referee Ben Necessario stopped the one sided match and declared Albert the winner 1:33 of the third round.
The Indonesian had a Mayweather-like stance but was rather too slow for the hard-hitting undefeated Pagara. "I could have stopped him in the first round," said Albert. "But i just slow.ed it a little bit in the first two rounds." Albert wanted to prolong the agony of his foe so that his home fans could see more of him in action.
On June 21, 2014, ALA Promotions featured Pinoy Pride XXVI Pagara Brothers versus Mexicans at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Cebu City.
Albert decked Hugo ‘Olimpico’ Partida three times in the very first round. A right to the jaw dropped him seconds after the sound of the opening bell. Partida got up but power-packed Pagara fists caused his second fall though he was caught by the ropes.
A thundering left hook to the his jaw dropped Partida again prompting referee McTavish to stop the punishment 1:18 of the first round. Albert was awarded his first belt, the IBF intercontinental junior featherweight title.
The Mexican was no patsy. Prior to the fight Partida has 21 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws with 16 KOs. He is also the reigning WBC FECARBOX superbantamweight titlist. He lost twice by KO before Pinoy Pride. But he had a 57% KO victory.
They have a plan of sending the fighting siblings for training at the U.S. Jason will have a bright future ahead of him. Albert could be the next Manny Pacquiao. Still in their 20's, the Pagara Brothers are truly the "Fists of the Future."
Prince Albert was awarded as Outstanding Maasinhon in the field of Sports during the 14th Charter Day Celebration of Maasin City, Southern Leyte last August 10, 2014.
Speaking before 5,000 plus capacity crowd at the Maasin City Gym, Pagara thanked all those who supported his career, this writer as the city’s chief executive, and his boss Antonio L. Aldeguer.
“I began my boxing training here in Maasin City and I was born in this place at Barangay Lib-og. That is why I always bring the name of Maasin City in all my fights,” said Pagara after receiving his plaque.
He was the lone awardee in the Anniversary Program graced by Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino as Keynote Speaker. Later that day, he sat side by side with Tolentino in a press conference. The Metro traffic czar was impressed when he knew that Pagara was undefeated as an amateur in all his more than 400 fights and now sporting an unblemished pro record in 21 bouts at very young age of 20.
The most applauded fight in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 28 “History in the Making” was the supporting event featuring undefeated Pagara versus tough Mexican opponent Raul Hirales. It was considered by many as an acid test for the 20-year old ALA Gym sensation and he was able to hurdle it with flying colors last night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Cebu City.
Pagara improved his fighting record to 22-0 with 15 KO wins and defended successfully his International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight crown by making a punching bag of Hirales who dipped to 22-4-1 with 11 KO wins. Prince Albert sent the Mexican to the canvas in the third unleashing several combinations to the head and body. But the Baja California Sur born visitor ably defended his body from further punishment as he coasted along not to lose by a knockout.
The Maasin City born local hero connected on all parts of the face and torso of the challenger but he just remained standing on his feet until the final bell. The Latin American fighter was cut in the eye by the powerful Pagara punches which The Prince kept targeting as the rounds go by. But a typical Mexican warrior that he was, Hirales covered from the stinging barrage and fought back to the delight of the crowd who was not bored of the title fight.
Pagara received wild cheers from the fullhouse crowd while Hirales also got some adulation for putting up a good fight. Two judges scored all twelve rounds in favor of Pagara 120-107, while a third judge gave one round for Hirales at 119-108, enroute to a unanimous decision for the darling of the crowd Prince Albert.
“Hirales was really tough that I was not able to knock him out,” said the promising ALA Gym fighter. “But I gave my all to satisfy my fans.”
I congratulated international referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan for a good job acting as third man in the ring in the Pagara-Hirales title fight and he said he read my article in PhilBoxing.com prior to the fight to know Hirales well.
Pinoy Pride 28 was also a “history in the making” for the young Pagara as it was the first time his fight went to full 12 rounds. His three previous fights that lasted 10 rounds were those against Gadwin Tubigon, Marvin Tampus, and Jessie Tuyor.
The Prince of Philippine boxing Albert Pagara will be honored again by the City Government of Maasin this coming April 20 during the flag raising ceremony of the city employees at the Maasin City Gym. This is the city’s recognition for continuing his reign as International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight champion when he halted Mexican visitor Rodolfo "Fofo" Hernandez during Pinoy Pride 30 at the Araneta Coliseum last March 28.
Thousands of city residents in this capital of Southern Leyte witnessed their favorite boxer-son demolished his opponent on television when it was showed over ABS-CBN the following day. The former world champion Nonito Donaire stopped William Prado of Brazil only in two rounds in the co-main event of the boxing card entitled D-Day, paving way for the inclusion of the Pagara-Hernadez bout on TV.
A motorcade will follow the ceremony along the major thoroughfares of Maasin City. Then Pagara is expected to visit his relatives at Barangay Lib-og and see some friends and acquaintances. His uncle Barangay Captain Walter Sepe is preparing seafoods, the favorite dish of his nephew boxing superstar.
His fight with Rodolfo "Fofo" Hernandez was the most action-packed bout of Pinoy Pride 30 and Prince Albert is one of the most well-loved ALA Gym boxing stars. Even at the start of round one, Pagara's blazing guns sent Hernandez down to the canvas to the delight of the roaring crowd. A right uppercut to the chin followed by another solid right to the face of the challenger sent him to the deck less than a minute gone in the starting round.
The Mexican absorbed a lot punishment from the Maasin City champion pinning him on the ropes as Pagara wanted to stop him. Feeling the stinging blows of the great ALA Gym prospect, Fofo did not answer the bell sounding the fifth round being worn out from a lot of beating and punching.
Hernandez's reason of quitting was that he injured his right hand but it was too obvious that he was greatly outclassed by the 21-year-old undefeated Pagara who scored his 23rd win and 16th KO victory.
"I wanted to floor him after the first round knockdown," said Albert. "It's just that he surrendered before hitting the canvas again."
