A big challenge awaits Mark Magsayo, who seeks a memorable homecoming when he returns to Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The 24-year-old Magsayo faces his toughest test when he meets two-time world champion Panya Uthok for the vacant International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific and World Boxing Council Asia Featherweight titles.
The Thai fighter will be Magsayo’s biggest fight after coming back from a long layoff.
The showdown, held under the Vladimir Boxing Promotions’ “Pride of Bohol” show, is set on Aug. 31 at the Bohol Wisdom School gym.
This fight is Magsayo’s opportunity to move back up in the world rankings after his stock fell following a 17-month layoff.
“Handa na po ako,” said Magsayo following a press conference at the Howzat Sports Bar in Makati.
The last time Magsayo fought was in Nov. 25, 2017.
That day, he fashioned out a unanimous decision win over Japanese Shota Hayashi, also at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym.
After that fight, Magsayo was without a fight following a contractual dispute with his former handlers.
Before his layoff, Magsayo had a win-loss record of 19-0, including 14 knockouts.
Uthok, also known through his alias Pungluang Sor Singyu Onesong, has a slate of 53-6 (35 KOs).
Uthok has fought only four times in the last four years, although the 29-year-old Thai is coming off a unanimous decision win over Filipino boxer Carlo Magali last April. Before that, he had three straight losses against Marlon Tapales, Czar Amonsot and Paul Fleming.
Magsayo has been training at the Elorde Boxing Gym and had sparring sessions with Richard Pumicpic, Jay Berwela and Jeffrey Francisco.
Uthok is a two-time WBO bantamweight champion who took centerstage by knocking out heavily-favored AJ Banal back in 2012.