CEBU CITY – Once touted as the next big thing in boxing, the hard-punching Albert Pagara is back in prominence albeit not the way he wanted it to be.
Pagara will have another battle to hurdle. This time not in the squared ring but in the courtroom after he was arrested on accusations that he raped a 14-year-old girl in Barangay Inayawan here on Wednesday night, September 1.
Police Maj. Jose Angelo Acupinpin, chief of Pardo Police Station, said relatives of the victim reported the alleged abuse around 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Barangay tanods arrested the professional boxer and later turned over him to the police.
Acupinpin said Pagara did not resist arrest but denied the accusations hurled against him.
Manila Bulletin is withholding some information in relation to the case to protect the privacy of the victim.
Despite his denial, Pagara will still be charged for rape.
“In filing the case, we will include the result of the medical and physical examination of the victim as well as her and her guardian’s statement,” said Acupinpin.
As a member of the defunct ALA Boxing Gym, the 27-year-old Pagara was once touted as the next big thing in boxing.
He showed flashes of brilliance early in his career when he won his first 33 professional fights. His career started to go south when he absorbed his first loss against a Mexican opponent in 2016.
While not much has been heard about him since that stinging loss in 2016, Pagara has been winning in small cards and is on a seven-fight win streak.
Owner of 23 knockout victories, the super bantamweight contender last fought in December 18, 2020 when he scored a unanimous decision win against Virgil Puton in Mandaue City.