MARK “Magnifico” Magsayo will be debuting in the heavier super featherweight division on December 9 in a non-title bout against Mexican Isaac Avelar at the Infinite Reality Studios in Long Beach, California.
After losing to Brandon Figueroa in his last fight at the featherweight class last March, the 28-year-old Tagbilaran City former World Boxing Council featherweight titleholder has decided to take a new challenge of campaigning in a new weight class in his bid to become a two-division world champion.
“I’m coming into this fight having fought some of the best fighters in boxing. My last three fights were all at the world-class level,” Magsayo said, referring to his last bouts against Gary Russell Jr., Rey Vargas and Figueroa.
“A victory will get me the notoriety at 130 pounds, where I feel I can become a two-division world champion. So this fight is very important to my career and I’m going to come out victorious.”
Sean Gibbons, the international matchmaker and Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions president, said that the opportunity would give Magsayo (24-2 win-loss record with 16 knockouts) a chance to go back to world-title contention level next year.
“This is his first fight in the 130 pounds, this is the start for his road back to put himself back into title contention. I think this fight will put Mark back in the position to fight for world title in 2024,” Gibbons said.
He reminded Magsayo to give his best in this fight to recover from his previous split decision loss to Vargas last July 2022 and a unanimous decision setback to Figueroa.
“Fights like this mean there’s no tomorrow, you’ve got to win,” he said. “I think the second half, if he wins this fight, is going to be great. Maybe there’s going to be a title eliminator next year before a potential world title bout.
The 26-year-old Avelar (17-6 record with 10 knockouts) is also fighting for the opportunity to make a name for himself at the expense of Magsayo.