READY FOR WAR. Mark Magsayo (left) and his opponent, ex-world title challenger Daniel Diaz of Nicaragua, face spectators during the weigh-in event of Pinoy Pride 41 yesterday at the SM City Cebu event center.
(CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
Ex-world title challenger Daniel “El General” Diaz shrugged off jet lag concerns as he fights unbeaten Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo in the main event of Pinoy Pride 41: New Generation Warriors tonight at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.
Diaz, together with his trainer, Nicaraguan hall of famer Rosendo Alvarez, was supposed to arrive Wednesday and was initially scheduled to attend a pre-fight presser at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Thursday morning.
But instead, the visiting boxer and his team arrived late Thursday evening—two days before fight night—after their inter-connecting flight in Panama encountered some booking issues.
The team left Nicaragua on Monday but they got stuck in Panama for 24 hours.
Despite the long travel period, Diaz said he feels very well and not having any jet lag.
“I feel strong and I am very eager to climb in the ring and fight Magsayo,” said Diaz through a translator after the official weigh-in yesterday at the SM City Cebu event center. “I am here to win and bring home Magsayo’s title back to Nicaragua. That is my main mission.”
Magsayo will stake his WBO International featherweight title against Diaz.
Magsayo’s trainer, Edito Villamor, believes Diaz’s claim, saying he had a first hand experience with flight issues in 2013 when he accompanied ex-ALA Boxing gym boxer Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo. This is why he is reminding Magsayo not to take Diaz lightly.
“There’s no room for complacency, that is always my reminder for Mark because I experienced this kind of scenario before,” said Villamor.
Sabillo went on to win the WBO world minimum weight title against Luis dela Rosa in Colombia even after having a 24-hour delay in their flight.
Sabillo and Villamor also arrived on the eve of the weigh-in.
Magsayo is aware Diaz is a tough boxer, which is why he said he will do his best to win.
“I am fully aware of [the situation]. What I wanna do is to give my fans a great fight. I can’t predict a knockout but when the chance comes, then I will make sure I will grab it,” said Magsayo.
In the co-main event, Jeo “Santino” Santisima faces undefeated Tanzanian Goodluck Mrema tipped in a 10-round non-title duel. “Prince” Albert
Pagara will also face Thai foe Aekkawee Kaewmanee in a 10-round undercard bout.