Mark Magsayo (L) lands a jab on Eduardo Ramirez. Picture by Mikael Ona/Crew Magsayo
After scoring his first important win within the junior light-weight division, Mark Magsayo is trying to the longer term at 130 kilos. He hopes that future features a WBA junior light-weight title.
The 28-year-old from Tagbilaran Metropolis, Philippines received the job performed this previous Saturday, beating former title challenger Eduardo Ramirez by unanimous resolution on the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin undercard in Las Vegas. It wasn’t an encore of Magsayo’s first struggle at 130 kilos final December, when he blasted out trialhorse Isaac Avelar with a single hook. On this night time, Magsayo flashed his energy with a knockdown within the third spherical earlier than cruising to a cushty factors win.
Nonetheless, there was heaps to remove from the ten spherical efficiency.
“Everyone is anticipating a knockout I believe due to the Avelar struggle. However all the pieces will depend on the scenario, too. I take heed to my coach. We need to present that I can win rounds too if the KO 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 couple of days after the struggle.
“Like at all times I need to enhance and modify. I’m by no means content material and I can be again within the fitness center this week.”
Coach Marvin Somodio was happy with how his fighter regarded 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 combating 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 will 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. gained the title in November, defeating Hector Luis Garcia by cut up resolution. 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 struggle will increase his rating to as excessive as no. 2 when the subsequent rankings come out.
“Will probably be a really fascinating struggle,” 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 take a look at when he defends the belt in opposition to me.”
“Subsequent cease hopefully is the WBA world title,” added Gibbons. Worst case is that we do an eliminator however undoubtedly taking pictures for a world title a while later within the 12 months.”
Roach, who has gained 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} struggle with Magsayo isn’t one he has contemplated, however provides it’s a struggle he would think about if unification bouts don’t materialize.
“I by no means essentially thought of it however I assume it might be cool. I wouldn’t essentially set out and be like I need to struggle Mark, and I perceive why he says he needs to struggle me as a result of I’ve a title however my purpose is to unify. If it doesn’t occur and that struggle is offered and profitable, I’d take that struggle for certain 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 struggle he was prepared for him. I do know Lamont Roach is an effective boxer however I believe Mark is only a totally 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 College of Journalism Class of 2020. He will be reached at [email protected].
