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New Faces: Mark Magsayo

Photo Credit - ALA Promotions International
Fighters Network
22
Sep

MARK MAGSAYO

Age: 21
Hometown: Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5-foot-6 (168 cm)
Amateur record: 200-20
Turned pro: 2013

Pro record: 14-0, 11 knockouts
Trainer: Edito Villamor
Manager: Antonio L. Aldeguer
Promoter: ALA Promotions International

Best night of pro career: Magsayo believes his American debut against Yardley Suarez to be his best so far.



“Last October 2015 at the Stubhub, Carson, California,” Magsayo told RingTV.com through Chelna Locaylocay of ALA Promotions, “because it lasted for only one round. The timing for a knockout was perfect and for some reason I felt my fist fitted perfectly with his face, hence the knockout.”

Worst night of pro career: The young Filipino is least happy with one of his early outings.

“My third pro fight with John Rey Melligen,” he said, “because I didn’t feel ready and he wasn’t able to score a knockout.”

Next fight: On Saturday, Magsayo will provide support to his countryman Donnie Nietes who headlines in Carson, California at the Stubhub, against Ruben Garcia.

Garcia, 23, enters with a record of 17-2-1 (7 knockouts). The Mexican has won his last two fights since getting stopped for the only time in his career by Randy Caballero.

Magsayo will hope to make a statement and retain his WBO International 126-pound title in impressive fashion.

Why he’s a prospect: Although Magsayo didn’t fight at the big international tournaments such as the Olympics or World Championships, he was successful in the Philippines, he won eight national titles and was twice awarded the best boxer of the year.

Since making the transition to the pros he has sparred with the likes of multi-weight world champion Nonito Donaire and the Pagara brothers, Jason a 140-pound fringe contender and Albert a world rated junior featherweight.

When asked what he feels are his greatest strengths as a boxer, Magsayo says, “I believe my triple left hook.”

His trainer the well respected Edito Villamor feels he has other key attributes.

“His determination, discipline and the will to win the fight, that’s his strengths,” explained Villamor.

Why he’s a suspect: Like all prospects Magsayo can’t afford to rest on his laurels. While he is undoubtedly exciting, as evidenced with his up off the canvas stoppage of former world title challenger Chris Avalos. He needs to learn to pace himself and not get overly excited in fights.

To his credit, his style though at times reckless, is TV friendly and he has shown heart to recover from a knockdown to win a fight.

Magsayo feels he needs to work on his defense as well as distance in the ring.

Villamor agrees with his fighter.

“He needs to improve his defense,” said the venerable trainer, “and his maturity when he fights.”

Story lines: Magsayo was one of four children in his family growing up. His elder brother used to box and his younger brother is starting his amateur career.

Magsayo took up boxing at 8 years old having seen his hero Manny Pacquiao beat Marco Antonio Barrera.

“While selling ice cream in my hometown (Bohol) one day, I came across a boxing match (made possible by ALA) where Mr. Antonio Aldeguer bought all my ice cream,” he explained. “I decided to stay and watch the fight since I didn’t have to go around selling anymore. Then I got a chance shadow box in front of Mr. Aldeguer and started training the next day.”

He hasn’t looked back since.

Away from boxing, he enjoys playing basketball and when not busy training he spends time with his family.

Fight-by-fight record:

2013
May 25 – Melton Sandal – KO 1

July 13 – Jamjam Ungon – TKO 1

Aug. 24 – John Rey Melligen – UD 4

Oct. 26 – Hagibis Quinones – KO 1

2014
March 1 – Roy Sumugat – TKO 6

May 10 – Hyuk Tak Joo – UD 4

July 26 – Ernesto Tata Fontanilla – TKO 6

Sept. 8 – Jessie Tuyor – TKO 1

Nov. 15 – Moon Sun Jung – TKO 2

2015
Feb. 7 – Sukpraserd Ponpitak – TKO 5

July 11 – Rafael Reyes – TKO 5

Oct. 17 – Yardley Suarez – KO 1

2016
Feb. 27 – Eduardo Montoya – UD 10

April 23 – Chris Avalos – TKO 6

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright

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