LONG BEACH, California – Mark Magsayo made a statement to the rest of the 130-pound division.

Magsayo scored an emphatic one-punch knockout victory over Isaac Avelar Saturday night before a partisan crowd at the Infinite (also known as the Thunder) Studios.

The 28-year-old, who is originally from Tagbilaran City in the Philippines and now resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Valencia, improved to 25-2, 17 knockouts.

From the opening bell, Magsayo was the aggressor, putting Avelar on the defensive. The pace of the fight slowed, but Magsayo connected with the more-effective punches.

Avelar did have his moments, connected with the occasional counter hook or sweeping right cross to the head of Magsayo. Avelar was not able to follow up or was wary of punches or combinations Magsayo would throw.

Early in the third round, Magsayo connected with a combination that dropped Avelar to one knee. Avelar would beat the count, and fight back, but would get dropped flat on his back from a sweeping left hook to the chin. Referee Ivan Guillermo immediately waved the fight off at 1:13.

Mark Magsayo huge KO on @CBNPromotions

Isaac Avelar sat up after. pic.twitter.com/SOFsLEqFah

— Beto Durán ⭕️ (@DuranSports) December 10, 2023

Although he was alert and moving his extremities, Avelar was placed on a stretcher and taken from the venue as a precaution. 

Saturday marked the 130-pound debut for Magsayo. In his previous fight on March 4, Magsayo lost by unanimous decision to Brandon Figueroa. The WBC interim world featherweight title was on the line, as Magsayo immediately announced after the fight he would move up and compete in the junior lightweight division. 

Magsayo would lose the WBC world featherweight title on July 9 of last year, dropping a split-decision to Rey Vargas of Mexico. Magsayo believes the knockout win over Avelar is a message to the top fighters at 130 pounds that he is ready to face them in 2024. 

“I work hard everyday in the gym and I want to prove that I belong in the junior lightweight division.,” said Magsayo, who is promoted by MP Promotions and TGB Promotions and trained by Marvin Somodio. “I feel more comfortable and stronger at this weight. You saw how I sat down on the punch with the knockout.”

Avelar, who resides in Aguascalientes, Mexico, falls to 17-7, 10 knockouts. Avelar previously fought on April 1, losing by knockout to Carlos Arteaga Orona in the eighth round.

The 26-year-old Avelar has lost five of his last six bouts. 

In featherweight action, Lienard Sarcon defeated former prospect Frank Gonzalez of Miami, Florida by unanimous decision. Scores were 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73 for Sarcon, who improved to 11-0, 4 KOs.

Gonzalez falls to 12-5, 6 KOs and has now split his last six fights. 

Lightweight Anthony Cuba of nearby Fontana defeated Chicago’s Arturo Barrera (4-4) by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 60-54 in favor of Cuba, who improved to 7-0-2, 3 KOs. 

Junior featherweight Nelson Guerrero of Coachella, California was successful in his pro debut, stopping Arturo Herrera (0-2) of Killeen, Texas at 1:44 of the third round. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]

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