Pagara Battles Alexey Mazur in Kazakhstan

By Carlos Costa

Former ALA star “Prince” Albert Pagara can’t wait to be back in hot action when he battles unbeaten Russian warrior Alexey Mazur in a lightweight war on Wednesday, August 30, in the land of Gennadiy Golovkin, Kazakhstan.

Albert’s 10-round lightweight rumble – very likely to unfold as a regional title fight – is promoted by Kazak man of boxing Yerik Jailauov of Kazakhstan’s Ulan Boxing Promotions, live on Russia’s Match TV.

Once one of the most promising Filipino boxers, Pagara is still a very popular fighter in Cebu.

Despite unfortunately getting arrested by pulis 2 years ago for the alleged sexual harassment of a 14-year-old girl in Barangay Inayawan in Cebu City (Pagara denied the accusations), “Prince” can still boast tons of followers and fans, who believe he can still climb all the way to the top. Can he?

It will be the 4^th time that the skilled and experienced 29-year-old Albert Pagara (34-1, 24 KO’s), a former WBO and IBF Asia belt-holder, travels outside of the Motherland for war behind enemy lines.

But this time, more than in any other, Albert wants to score an electrifying international win that will 100% re-energize his boxing career, getting him in the boxing radar in the 135-pound division.

His current coach Christopher “PingPing” Tepora has so much confidence in his Albert, training him with passion, commitment and focus.

In fact, it will be experienced PingPing, the one to accompany and guide Albert in his fighting trip to Kazakhstan.

However, at the same time, Albert’s Russian opponent, Alexey Mazur (9-0, 5 KO’s), and his coach Gennady Khlobystin are also feeling good about being the ones to come on top on fight night.

Indeed, Alexey feels that he is the one who can use power and pressure to ravage and scalp the talented Pinoy fighter born in Southern Leyte, although for years living and training in the Queen City of the South.

That’s why fans wonder: Will “Prince” Albert Pagara outbox and outsmart with slick moves and speed the 32-year-old aggressive, coming-forward warrior from the country of Vladimir Putin?

Or will it be the Russian Alexey Mazur, the victorious shinning one in Kazakhstan?

Filipino boxing fans 100% know so well about their Albert Pagara. They have followed him for years, since his beginings with the beloved ALA Gym. Therefore, the following are some details about Alexey Mazur:

Who is Alexey? Short Bio about Alexey Yurievich Mazur (in Russian: Алексей_Юрьевич Мазур)

Nationality:: Russia

Pro Record: 8-0, 5 KO’s

Date of Birth: March 29, 1991 (age 32)

Place of Birth: Leningrad , U.S.S.R.

Currently living and training in: Saint Petersburg , Russia

Weight-class: Lightweight (up to 135 lbs, 61.24 kg)

Guard: Left-handed (southpaw)

Height: 5′ 7″
Coach: Gennady Petrovich Khlobystin

Since a young age he got interested in sports, starting with gymnastics. But then the got interested in boxing, and boxing has been his world ever since.

In his teenage years, Alexey began taking part in amateur competitions, becoming member of his country’s national amateur team, although he never quite made it to the Olympics.

But Alexey became Russian amateur Champion, as well as bronze medalist in the World Military Games.

He also competed in the European Games, although lost in the first round to the eventual silver medalist.

In total, as amateur, Alexey fought 82 times, winning 67, losing 15 times.

After a good amateur career, Alexey, turned pro five years ago in his home town of Saint Petersburg, winning by KO in two rounds, having made, up-to-now, a total of 8 fights, winning them all, 5 by stoppage. Now he waits for Albert Pagara.

Alexey is the reigning Russian Lightweight National Champion. In his fifth professional fight in Syktyvkar, Alexey Mazur won a wide unanimous decision over his experienced compatriot Tikhon Netesov to claim the vacant Russian Lightweight strap.

Will it be “Prince” Albert Pagara the winner over Alexey? Or will he lose to Russian former amateur standout?

In my opinion, it’s a really good fight, to me: 50-50, with the winner getting such a fantastic boost to his boxing career, while loser surely suffering a serious setback. May the Best Man Win!

The author, senior boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.