Mark “Magnico” Magsayo is one of the brightest prospects in the Philippine boxing scene today.
Just 20 years young, the Leyte-native has compiled an unblemished record in 13 professional bouts, ten by way of finishes. Moreover, the Filipino featherweight is currently ranked as the top featherweight in the country three years after turning professional.
After copping the WBO Youth Featherweight belt last February against Eduardo Montoya, Magsayo vowed a better showing against a more experienced American pugilist, Chris “The Hitman” Avalos (26-4, 19KO). “Pagbubutihin ko pa ng maigi para mas maganda yung laban sa susunod kasi yung makakalaban ko, hindi basta-basta yun. Si Avalos,” he vowed.
“Pag-iigihan ko ng mabuti ang training at papakita ko sa kanila na kaya ko yun.”
This weekend, the Magsayo-Avalos bout for the vacant WBO International Featherweight crown will take place in the undercard of Nonito Donaire vs. Zsolt Bedak in a card co-promoted by Top Rank and ALA Promotions. ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer actually empathizes with the pressure Magsayo is feeling right now. “He’s been doing well. He knows it’s the biggest fight he can have right now and this is the biggest test in a big stage,” seven-time Elorde Awards promoter of the year Aldeguer said to Tiebreaker Times.
“He’s very positive and very excited about it. I mean, he’s very optimistic. We’re hoping he’s going to do very well. If he does well, it’s going to be a big thing for him.”
A win by Magsayo will reward him with another bout in the United States of America according to ALA’s head honcho. “If he wins, he’s going to be in the US for bigger fights but this is going to be a big fight, especially fighting in the undercard of Nonito Donaire,” he added.
Aldeguer though is not sure whether they made the right decision in booking Magsayo up against a 30-fight veteran. “We’re not sure if we made the right decision in giving him a fight (this early) against a veteran. Navalos faced nothing but the best,” Aldeguer closed.
“The one thing in boxing is you’ll never know until you test them. We hope we made the right decision.”
The fight card for Saturday’s big boxing card is aptly titled The Time Has Come. A win by “Magnifico” will justify the hype behind him and, moreover, a finish will prove that his time is now.
