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HOLLYWOOD — As Manny Pacquiao ended his legendary profession shedding to Yordenis Ugas, protege Mark Magsayo shined vibrant on his idol’s undercard with a vicious come-from-behind knockout victory towards Julio Ceja.
Pacquiao formally retired from boxing in September, and though there’ll by no means be one other Pacquiao, there’s a gap for a fellow countryman to be the brand new flag bearer for Philippine boxing.
Nonito Donaire was destroyed in two rounds by Naoya Inoue in June, and the almost 40-year-old is being urged to retire. Donnie Nietes, 40, will combat Kazuto Ioka on July 13 for the tremendous flyweight title, however his finest days are behind him. Jerwin Ancajas’ five-plus 12 months reign as world champion resulted in February.
Jayson Mama suffered his first profession loss in a world title alternative towards Sunny Edwards in December. John Riel Casimero was accused of sexual abuse and stripped of his WBO bantamweight title in Could after failing twice to combat in scheduled bouts.
Though Rene Cuarto presently stands as a strawweight title holder, the Philippine fighter who seems to have the makings of the nation’s subsequent high fighter is Magsayo.
The 27-year-old Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) is the WBC featherweight champion, a title he earned after beating Gary Russell Jr. in January. Magsayo is promoted by Pacquiao, and the pupil will look to additional show his promise and potential when he makes the primary protection of his title on Saturday towards former world champion and obligatory challenger Rey Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs).
Magsayo’s powerful check will happen on the Alamodome in San Antonio, the identical venue the place Pacquiao made his breakout efficiency in 2003 with a shocking stoppage win towards Marco Antonio Barrera.
Watching on TV within the Philippines that night time was an eight-year-old Magsayo, who determined to pursue an expert boxing profession instantly following the combat.
Magsayo went on to perform his objectives and even wound up coaching and preventing alongside Pacquiao, who made his professional debut in 1995 — six months earlier than Magsayo was born.
“It is an honor to be following in the identical path as Manny Pacquiao,” Magsayo informed ESPN in an interview following a current exercise in Griffith Park.
“My dream got here true after I received the world title,” he mentioned. “I’m much more motivated now as a world champion. My new aim is to turn into a unified champion. I do know I’ve to work more durable to enhance.”
Quickly after ending Russell’s seven-year title run, Magsayo, his spouse Frances and Sean Gibbons, president of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, flew to Makati Metropolis to go to Pacquiao at his residence.
Throughout the 23-day journey to the Philippines, the Bohol-bred Magsayo found he’d developed right into a star.
“Wherever we went, every little thing stopped,” Frances mentioned. “Kids have been working as much as him and asking for images. It was not regular for him, however he is comfortable that the persons are receiving him warmly and are proud.”
“There’s a little bit little bit of strain after they look as much as me like that,” Magsayo admitted. “I am proud to convey honor to my nation. I am so comfortable that they assist me. I’ve to make my very own identify in boxing, and I’ll do my finest with each combat and alternative.”
Pacquiao defined through the assembly how proud he was, and reaffirmed that tough work would push Magsayo to new stratospheres. The group additionally watched combat tape on Vargas.
“I used to be so comfortable he made time to speak with me,” Magsayo mentioned. “It was surreal. He informed me the important thing to beating Vargas is engaged on footwork and head motion, staying humble and praying. I imagine in God, and I imagine in Manny Pacquiao.”
Magsayo is making an attempt to imitate the identical formulation that made Pacquiao a generational fighter. He trains on the Wild Card Boxing gymnasium with Corridor of Fame coach Freddie Roach, who cornered Pacquiao for twenty years. His profession is being formed by Pacquiao’s longtime handler Gibbons. He even does the identical exercises that Pacquiao made well-known within the hills of Hollywood.
Of equal significance: To be able to turn into a fan favourite and may’t-miss commodity, Magsayo is following in Pacquiao’s footsteps and taking up all comers of all sizes.
Vargas is a bodily imposing Mexican slugger who will sport a close to five-inch peak and three-inch attain benefit towards Magsayo. The 31-year-old Vargas was a brilliant bantamweight champion and defended his title 5 occasions, however he is fought simply as soon as since July 2019 — a 10-round resolution win towards Leonardo Baez in November.
“Current exercise goes to be an enormous key on this combat, and Mark is sharper than sharp,” Gibbons mentioned. “Mark’s demeanor and work ethic hasn’t modified and he is extra decided now than he was when he beat Russell. Success hasn’t gotten to his head.”
Gibbons tapped into a bunch of sparring companions that includes Juan Carlos Burgos, Eduardo Baez, Bryan Chevalier, and Dominique Crowder to emulate Vargas’ rugged fashion.
Magsayo’s group additionally consists of Roach disciple and fellow Philippine assistant coach Marvin Somodio, dietician and nutritionist for Philippine Olympians Jeaneth Aro and power and conditioning coach Pedro Garcia. Frances is the important thing cog behind the scenes taking part in the hybrid position of spouse, supervisor and drawback solver.
Roach envisions Magsayo preventing at shut quarters and unleashing mixtures so as to rating the win towards Vargas.
“The journey has been loads of enjoyable,” Roach mentioned. “He is an incredible employee and trains very laborious. Mark’s bettering on a regular basis, getting stronger and hitting more durable. He is working the physique higher. He listens to me fairly properly. Once I inform him to complete the combat sturdy, it is all enterprise and he is aware of precisely what meaning. Vargas would not have loads of weaknesses, but when we break the physique down and take the legs away, Vargas will fall.”
Magsayo has not made it look easy, nonetheless, displaying some wrinkles in his sport every time he has stepped up.
“We have came upon within the final two fights that Mark has what it takes to be a world champion,” Gibbons mentioned.
In opposition to Ceja, Magsayo was dropped and down on the playing cards en path to a call loss when he rebounded to attain a outstanding Tenth-round knockout.
Within the Russell combat, Russell suffered a shoulder harm within the fourth spherical and was outlanded 150 to 69. But Magsayo nonetheless managed to sneak by the judges’ playing cards by way of majority resolution with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 114-114.
Ought to Magsayo get by Vargas, Gibbons’ plan is to pit Magsayo towards four-division champion Leo Santa Cruz later this 12 months.
Magsayo understands the magnitude of the upcoming matchup.
“I have to win this combat towards Vargas,” he mentioned.
If Magsayo can beat Russell, Vargas and Santa Cruz in 2022, he’ll definitely be a frontrunner for fighter of the 12 months — an honor the BWAA bestowed on Pacquiao three totally different occasions.
Magsayo believes his breakout 12 months will take him even additional, and punch his ticket to the Corridor of Fame ought to he beat the trio.
“Successful the title would not set a fighter for all times professionally or financially,” Gibbons mentioned. “He is making stable cash proper now, however the subsequent one [potentially against Santa Cruz] might be life-changing. Then he can begin residing the American dream.”
Magsayo is already pre-approved for a mortgage, and he desires to make use of his earnings to ditch the Hollywood condominium he is renting and purchase a house in Los Angeles, identical to he is performed within the Philippines.
He already holds the title of world champion. A priceless and prestigious title that after belonged to Pacquiao is also earned ought to the wins maintain coming.
“I feel he is the subsequent face of Filipino boxing,” Roach mentioned.
Gibbons doubled down on the assertion.
“He is like Manny Pacquiao — grounded, humble and a person of the folks,” he mentioned. “It is his future — Pacquiao handed the torch to Mark. I actually firmly imagine that. If he beats Vargas, he is completely going to be the brand new face of Filipino boxing.”
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