There is no signs of slowing down for Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo.
Following an impressive sixth round KO victory over Chris Avalos last April, the 21-year old featherweight only took a short time off before getting back to work for his next fight.
Apart from his usual training at the ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu, Magsayo (14-0, 11KO), together with his teammates flew to the US and train at Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California to sharpen their skills even further.
“Ready na,” Magsayo told Tiebreaker Times about the status of his almost non-stop preparation for the fight.
“Kasi simula nung pagkatapos ng laban ko kay Avalos, two weeks lang ako nagpahinga tapos balik kagad ako sa training, then nag-training din kami sa America.”
Just recently, it was announced that he’ll be facing Mexico’s Ruben Garcia in the undercard of the Donnie Nietes-Edgar Sosa bout on Sunday, September 25 at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California. Before the news came out, “Magnifico” admitted that he has little idea who his opponent will be but has no problems with it.
“Sanay na sanay na ako sa ganiyan,” he recalled.
“Dati nga sa amateur tournament, everyday mag weigh-in pero kinabukasan iba na naman ang kalaban kaya sanay na sanay na ako sa mga ganiyan.”
Garcia (17-2-1, 7KO) lost to IBF world bantamweight champ Randy Caballero early this year. Currently, he iw coming off tune-up victories in the Dominican Republic to regain his confidence.
Despite of his opponent’s background, Magsayo is not looking past him but rather sees it as another opportunity to prove himself as a worthy contender and, at the same time, as an avenue to thrill the fans once again.
“Mas lalo kong pag-iigihan kasi siyempre mataas na level na, mas mataas pa kay Avalos na ang goal ko kaya pagbubutihan natin hangga’t makakaya natin diba?,” he said.
“Para maging masaya at maganda yung laban.”