Magsayo Fights on Sunday

Cebu City - Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo makes his long-awaited return to the American scene and his debut under MP Promotions when he takes on Rigoberto Hermosillo of Mexico in a ten-round main event of FS1 PBC Fight Night Saturday on October 3 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles (Sunday morning in the Philippines).

The Boholano Magsayo (24-0, 14 KOs), who last fought in the Unites States in 2016, is raring to get back on track after going through some off-the-ring concerns that momentarily placed his career on hold. He is currently ranked fourth by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC), and 13^th by the World Boxing Association. He is coming off two confidence-boosting wins in 2019, winning over ex-world champion Panya Uthok of Thailand by unanimous decision in Bohol in August and knocking out Erick Deztroyer in Singapore in April. He had been idle in 2018 after leaving the ALA Boxing Gym, a controversial move that had him idle for a year and four months while fighting off issues surrounding the transfer to another promotions outfit. With two fights under his belt, it’s back to the United States, but this time fighting under MP Promotions banner of Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Magsayo is currently training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach.

Hermosillo (11-2-1, 8 KOs) is a heavy-handed fighter from Mexico, but now fights out of California in the United States. He is coming off two straight losses to undefeated fighters and comes in as a late replacement for Magsayo’s original opponent Jose Harro who suddenly announced his retirement after the fight was agreed upon.

"Saturday, October 3 will feature contenders and prospects putting their unbeaten records on the line as they look for statement victories live on FS1," said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. Also fighting on the same card are welterweight prospect Paul Kroll who faces Luke Santamaria in the co-main event. The lineup also includes the undefeated Barrientes twins in six-round featherweight bouts as they make their TV debuts. Ángel Barrientes takes on Fernando Ibarra and Chávez Barrientes matches up against Ivan Varela.

This will be Magsayo’s third fight in the United States, a habit he can keep if he can score convincing wins. He’s looking at winning a world championship in the 126-pound featherweight division that is now ruled by Garry Russell Jr. (WBC), Josh Warrington (IBF) and Leo Sta Cruz (WBA). The WBO title is currently vacant but Magsayo isn’t ranked by the body that once recognized him as a WBO International featherweight champion. Magsayo started his professional career when he was 18-years old at the famed ALA Boxing Gym that has now closed down, and was slowly but surely groomed to become a world champion. He was a crowd favorite and a regular feature on Pinoy Pride fight cards due to his never-say-die spirit and his willingness to engage his foes in a ballroom brawl. He is a sound, technical boxer with power in both hands, and is now looking forward to scoring breakthrough wins under MP Promotions. Sean Gibbons, MP Promotions President, has said that it’ll take two to three fights before Magsayo can go for a world championship.

Photo: Mark Magsayo with trainers Marvin Somodio and Freddie Roach. (Mark Magnifico Magsayo Facebook Page).