Mark Magsayo (L) lands a jab on Eduardo Ramirez. Picture by Mikael Ona/Staff Magsayo
After scoring his first vital win within the junior light-weight division, Mark Magsayo is seeking to the long run at 130 kilos. He hopes that future features a WBA junior light-weight title.
The 28-year-old from Tagbilaran Metropolis, Philippines acquired the job accomplished this previous Saturday, beating former title challenger Eduardo Ramirez by unanimous choice on the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin undercard in Las Vegas. It wasn’t an encore of Magsayo’s first combat at 130 kilos final December, when he blasted out trialhorse Isaac Avelar with a single hook. On this evening, Magsayo flashed his energy with a knockdown within the third spherical earlier than cruising to a snug factors win.
Nonetheless, there was tons to remove from the ten spherical efficiency.
“Everyone is anticipating a knockout I believe due to the Avelar combat. However every part is dependent upon the scenario, too. I take heed to my coach. We need to present that I can win rounds too if the KO just isn’t there and never lose rounds whereas going after the KO. Lots of people don’t know that Ramirez is sneaky and a veteran,” mentioned Magsayo (26-2, 17 knockouts) a number of days after the combat.
“Like at all times I need to enhance and alter. I’m by no means content material and I will likely be again within the gymnasium this week.”
Coach Marvin Somodio was happy with how his fighter seemed on the new weight, displaying stamina and punching energy that had deserted him in his final two fights at featherweight, the place he struggled to make the 126-pound restrict after ten years of preventing in that division. He says they had been cautious about Magsayo’s counterpunching opponent, and had been content material to get the win whereas steering away from catastrophe.
“We have now a saying, you don’t have to repair that which isn’t damaged. He was profitable every spherical. If we attempt to field and play it secure then we are able to win so simply as a result of we’re profitable each spherical,” mentioned Somodio.
Now Magsayo is hoping he has positioned himself for one more title alternative, with WBA junior light-weight titleholder Lamont Roach his most well-liked goal. Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs) of Higher Marlboro, Md. received the title in November, defeating Hector Luis Garcia by cut up choice. Roach will make the primary protection of his belt on June 28, when he faces unbeaten Irishman Feargal McCrory (16-0, 8 KOs) in Washington D.C.
Magsayo was the no. 6 contender in the newest WBA rankings, however promoter Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions hopes that Magsayo choosing up the WBA Inter-Continental belt within the Ramirez combat will enhance his rating to as excessive as no. 2 when the following rankings come out.
“Will probably be a really fascinating combat,” mentioned Magsayo, who beforehand held the WBC featherweight title. “I’m excited for that. He is a good champion. Let’s put that to the check when he defends the belt towards me.”
“Subsequent cease hopefully is the WBA world title,” added Gibbons. Worst case is that we do an eliminator however positively taking pictures for a world title a while later within the 12 months.”
Roach, who has received 5 straight since his lone defeat, a 2019 factors loss to Jamel Herring for the WBO junior light-weight title, is rated no. 4 by The Ring, whereas Magsayo has but to enter The Ring’s scores at 130 kilos.
Talking with The Ring, Roach says {that a} combat with Magsayo isn’t one he has contemplated, however provides it’s a combat he would think about if unification bouts don’t materialize.
“I by no means essentially thought of it however I suppose it will be cool. I wouldn’t essentially set out and be like I need to combat Mark, and I perceive why he says he desires to combat me as a result of I’ve a title however my aim is to unify. If it doesn’t occur and that combat is accessible and profitable, I might take that combat for positive as a result of he’s a tricky competitor,” mentioned Roach.
In the meantime, Somodio insists that his fighter is prepared for that problem.
“Even earlier than this combat he was prepared for him. I do know Lamont Roach is an efficient boxer however I believe Mark is only a completely different animal,” mentioned Somodio.
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Every day Information, Rappler and The Guardian, and is a part of the Craig Newmark Graduate Faculty of Journalism Class of 2020. He will be reached at [email protected].
