Boxing fans were on the edges of their seats over the weekend as the eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao fought on 22nd August against Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas. The iconic boxer lost via unanimous decision, but this was eclipsed by the glorious win of Mark Magsayo, who knocked out Mexico’s Julio Ceja in the undercard (supporting match) of the Pacquiao-Ugas bout in Las Vegas.
The boxer, who was photographed doing a back-flip while celebrating his win, is indeed one of the Filipino boxers to watch out for. Here are 8 facts new fans should know about him.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo
The promising 5-foot-6 tall boxer Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo, also known as Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, grew up in Tagbilaran, Bohol, southwest of Tacloban where he was born.
He started honing his skills as a boxer at the ALA Gym in Cebu.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo
The 8-year-old Magsayo, who was a vendor selling pandesal and ice cream in the streets, got his inspiration to pursue a career in boxing after watching Manny Pacquiao’s historic surprise knockout win in 2003 over Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera, then considered the world’s best featherweight boxer.
The fight also served as one of Magsayo’s earliest memories of his idol.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo
Magsayo has been boxing ever since he was young at 8 years old.
At 17, he began his foray into the professional world of boxing when he defeated Melton Sandal in a knockout win in May 2013 in Cebu.
Image credit: Mark Magsayo
His initial fights as an amateur boxer started on a rocky road with many losses, but these did not deter the boxer.
Eight years into his career as a professional, Magsayo currently holds a solid record of 23 wins and 16 knockouts.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo
Considered as one of the rising boxers to watch out for in the featherweight division, Magsayo is currently ranked high by major organizations sanctioning professional boxing bouts.
He is placed 3rd by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), 4th by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and 5th by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in the Featherweight division.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo
Magsayo has been signed under MP Promotions, which is founded by Manny Pacquiao. He signed a three-year contract in the presence of Pacquaio and Sean Gibbons, MP Promotions President, in March 2020.
The move, for Magsayo, serves as his stepping stone to becoming the next face of Filipino boxing. For Pacquiao, Magsayo reminded him of himself when he was just starting out from scratch. “He reminds me of myself, how we both struggled to come from nothing to world-rated contender. I love his work ethic and desire to become a world champion and I will do everything to help promote Mark and make his dreams a reality,” Pacquiao was quoted in an article by SPIN.ph.
He had first been signed with ALA Promotions from 2013 to 2018. Before he signed with MP, he briefly was in the hands of boxing promoter Cameron Dunkin.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo/@freddieroach
The boxer, who has been training in the famous Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood under the guidance of Freddie Roach, fights with a traditional orthodox stance, which means that he prefers to use his right hand as his power hand and has his left foot in front of his right.
But nevertheless, he has power in both hands, as Roach himself said of the “hard puncher.” “Mark is a very good fighter and hard puncher. He hits just as hard as Manny did at 126. He might even be a little better puncher than Manny. He has power in both hands. He’s dangerous at all times. He can knock guys out,” Roach was quoted in an article by ESPN.
Image credit: @markmagnificomagsayo
Behind the boxing ring, Magsayo has been supported by his wife, tattoo artist Frances Arbie Magsayo.
The two met in 2014 during one of Magsayo’s matches, and they got married two years later in 2016.
There’s indeed more in store for Magsayo, who, with his undefeated record and remarkable fighting power, stands a chance to becoming the next big face of Filipino boxing.
We’re looking forward to more of his fights!
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Mark Magsayo, @markmagnificomagsayo, and @markmagnificomagsayo
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