LAS VEGAS, NV—Before Manny Pacquiao stepped into the ring for his highly anticipated return, two of the Philippines’ brightest boxing talents, Eumir Marcial and Mark Magsayo, delivered impressive victories on the undercard, setting an electrifying tone for the night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial kicked off the Filipino winning streak with an explosive performance, securing a third-round technical knockout over American Bernard Joseph.
Marcial, making his professional return after his 2024 Paris Olympics campaign, showcased his formidable power early, dropping Joseph with a right hook in the second round.
He then sealed the deal in the third with a barrage of blows, culminating in three powerful lefts that sent Joseph to the canvas for the final time.
The victory improved Marcial’s undefeated professional record to 6-0 with four knockouts, signaling his strong intentions in the middleweight division.
Following Marcial’s dominant display, former WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo continued his climb back to world-title contention with a unanimous decision win against a tough Mexican opponent, Jorge Mata Cuellar.
Magsayo, now campaigning as a super featherweight, worked for 10 rounds, showcasing his hand speed and flashy combinations. Despite Cuellar’s resilience and ability to absorb punishment, Magsayo controlled the majority of the bout, earning scores of 100-90, 100-90, and 98-92 from the judges.
The victory marked Magsayo’s fourth consecutive win, improving his record to 28-2 and putting him firmly back in line for a shot at a world championship.
