Another Filipino boxer will see action in the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios fight card on July 19 as former world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo takes on Mexican Jorge Mata Cuellar at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 10-round bout, promoted by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), will be for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title.
Following the announcement of Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial facing American Alexis Gaytan in an eight-round non-title middleweight clash, MP Promotions confirmed Magsayo’s inclusion in the event.
“It’s a very great opportunity to fight for the second time as a part of undercard bouts of my childhood hero Manny Pacquiao, who is the main reason why I started boxing,” said Magsayo, 29.
“Like the first time I fought under his card when I was in featherweight class, this is also another steppingstone to my second division super featherweight world title bid,” he added. “I’m grateful for the opportunity from big brother Manny.”
Magsayo first fought on a Pacquiao undercard on August 21, 2021, when he knocked out Julio Ceja in the tenth round in Las Vegas. That performance eventually earned him a shot at the WBC featherweight title, which he won against Gary Russell Jr. on January 22, 2022, in Atlantic City.
“I would like to thank Sir Manny Pacquiao, also Sean Gibbons, who takes care of my career and made me a world champion,” he said.
The Bohol native is coming off a three-fight win streak, including a second-round KO win over Bryan Mercado of Ecuador last December 14 in Long Beach, California. He now holds a record of 27 wins and 2 losses, with 18 knockouts.
“I am happy training alongside my idol; seeing him every day still inspires me the way it did when I was a kid. He spends time with us, his boxers, and teaches us. I am very excited to fight on July 19 and hope to see everyone in town for this thrilling Philippines vs. Mexico showdown.”
Cuellar, 24, enters the bout with a 21-2-2 record with 13 KOs and is expected to provide a tough test for Magsayo’s super featherweight ambitions.
