Mark Magsayo hoping to look "Magnifico" at 130-pounds

Former WBC featherweight world champion, Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-2, 16, KOs), returns to the ring, on December 9, in Long Beach, California. Magsayo, hailing from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, will face Mexico’s Isaac Avelar (17-6, 10 KOs).

Magsayo, returning at 130 pounds, is scheduled for 8 rounds. He is looking to get back in the win column and look to bigger things in the new year.

Valencia, California-residing Magsayo turned pro 10 years ago and by 2021 was undefeated at 23-0, had banked some smaller regional titles, and was getting his first world title shot.

In January 2022, Magsayo would go to Atlantic City and beat talented Gary Russell Jr. by UD to capture the WBO world featherweight title. However, 6 months later, he lost by razor-thin SD to Rey Vargas in San Antonio, Texas. 

He returned in January of this year and lost a frustrating UD to Brandon Figueroa for the (interim) WBC featherweight title.

Now, Magsayo is looking to get a win under his belt to close out the year and look for a bigger fight in 2024.

However, he can’t sleep on Avelar, who has been in with numerous contenders and champions and is a former world title challenger.

In a recent interview, Magsayo, who is trained by Los Angeles-based Marvin Somodio, made it clear that he feels stronger at 130 pounds and is looking to use the fight to take him back to a title shot.

“Coach Marvin (Somodio) and I have been working hard. I feel I’ll be stronger going into the later rounds with all the specialized conditioning we’ve been doing. Moving up to junior lightweight will make a big difference making weight, I’ll be a lot stronger in this division. It’s been a great training camp and I can’t wait to get back in the ring,” he said.

Added Magsayo advisor Sean Gibbons, “Mark is working hard and looking very strong. He is looking to get his feet wet at 130-pounds with a good victory and then we will look to a big fight in 2024”, he said.

And, while California is where he lives, the Philippines is never far from his mind.

“At the end of the day, I’m a proud Filipino fighter who will always be looking to bring home a victory for my countrymen”.