Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo lands a punch to the face of Nicaraguan Daniel “El General” Diaz in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 41 at the IEC Convention Center.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Boholano Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo pulled off an impressive knockout win over Nicaraguan ex-world title challenger Daniel “El General” Diaz in the main event of Pinoy Pride 41: New Generation Warriors Saturday evening, but ALA Promotions International chief Michael Aldeguer thinks the undefeated boxer has more to show.
The number two featherweight contender Magsayo in WBO downed Diaz at the 1:45 mark of the first round to the delight of around 4,000 Cebuano boxing fans who watched the fight at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.
Magsayo improved his record to 17 wins (13 knockouts) 0 losses and 0 draws and retained his WBO international featherweight title. Still, Aldeguer, Magsayo’s promoter, believes it’s too early to push a world title fight for his prized ward.
“Magsayo has developed after [his victory over Chris Avalos in 2016]. But he’s still developing and there is always the question if he’s ready.” Aldeguer said.
The fight against Diaz (23-8-2,15KOs) was supposed to be Aldeguer’s way of giving Magsayo the needed experience in preparation for bigger fights.
“Diaz could have given the veteran smarts that Magsayo needs for experience but we did not expect that he would get knocked out in the first round,” Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer said that another main event appearance is what Magsayo needs and that’s what they’ll work on.
“He’s ranked number two and we will go from there.”
Aldeguer revealed that there is a clamor of Boholano boxing fans to let the 22-year-old Magsayo fight in his hometown in Tagbilaran City. He is very open to that suggestion and is planning to put up a fight card there this October.
Magsayo is excited with the idea.
“It’s my dream to fight in my hometown. That would be a great honor for me,” Magsayo said.
Magsayo also has an opponent in mind who he wants to face.
“I want to fight Oscar Valdez if I am given a chance because that is one of my dreams.”
Valdez is the WBO featherweight champion.
Magsayo, like Aldeguer, knows he could have showed more of his potential if the fight against Diaz went longer.
“I was expecting a tough fight against Diaz because I know he is a veteran and a tough fighter. I was surprised that I knocked him out easily. I could have done more if the fight lasted longer.”
Meanwhile, Aldeguer Jeo “Santino” Santisima (14-2-0,12KOs) knocked out the erstwhile unbeaten Tanzanian prospect Goodluck Mrema (16-1-0, 8KOs) at the 1:18 mark of the first round in the co-main event.
“Prince” Albert Pagara (28-1-0,19KOs) also put up a good fight in the undercard by scoring a fourth round knockout against Aekkawee Kaewmanee of Thailand.
RWS’s Boxing Gym’s Joey Canoy (13-3-1, 6 KOs) also walked away with a big win by beating fellow ex-world title challenger Melvin Jerusalem (11-2-0, 7 KOs) of the ALA Boxing Gym.
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