IN April of last year, Boholano hard hitter Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo introduced himself as the next big thing in boxing after scoring a scintillating sixth-round technical knockout victory over former world title challenger Chris “Hitman” Avalos in Cebu.
On April 29, he returns to Cebu to take on another daunting task.
The unbeaten Magsayo (15-0-0, 11KOs) will be featured in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 40: Donnie Nation as he faces veteran Tanzanian boxer Issa Nampepeche (24-7-4, 11KOs) in a 10-round, non-title bout.
His fight is part of the undercard of the IBF world flyweight championship showdown between Donnie Nietes and Gomrich Nantapech of Thailand.
Last year, Magsayo fought three times and his most recent bout was in the U.S when he defended his WBO international featherweight strap against Ramiro Robles by unanimous decision.
Nampepeche, meanwhile, lost his most recent fight held in Tanzania against fellow Tanzanian Salim Mtango.