Boholano Magsayo to see action in Pacquiao-Barrios undercard

Sports

BOHOLANO fighter Mark Magsayo will be seeing action in a 10-rounder as part of the undercards of the main event pitting the comebacking Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Magsayo’s fight will not be an eliminator as a purse bid to seal a showdown with No. 1 contender Rocky Hernandez was nixed after the Mexican reportedly underwent an eye operation.

Magsayo’s opponent will be announced soon, Gibbons said.

“After this fight, Mark’s next will be a WBC title eliminator against a top contender,” Gibbons said in a report by Philstar.

If plans don’t miscarry, Gibbons said Magsayo may get a chance for a title fight on the October 4 golden anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla In Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum.

Magsayo, the WBC No. 2 superfeatherweight and now based in Las Vegas, was at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles last weekend to attend the 30th anniversary of Freddie Roach’s base. He stayed to greet Pacquiao on his first training session last Monday.

Holding a 27W-2L, 18KOs record, Magsayo said he has been staying in shape with the help of trainer Marvin Somodio.

“Every day ako nag-training sa Vegas kaya maintain ang kundisyon ko,” said Magsayo. “Pag dating ng six to eight weeks before the fight, sa LA kami mag-fine tune ni coach Marvin.”

Magsayo is on a three-fight winning streak with the last victory coming via a second-round knockout over Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado last December 24.(CCM)