Magsayo fulfills childhood dream of fighting before Boholano fans

Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo can still vividly recall the time he watched ALA Boxing Gym’s famed Boholano boxer Rey “Boom-boom” Bautista fight at the Wisdom School gymnasium in Tagbilaran City.

He was eight years old then and had no inkling that one day he will be fighting in the same venue with the same adulation that Boholano fight fans showered Bautista then.

The unbeaten Magsayo (17-0-0,13KOs), a 22-year old knockout artist of ALA Boxing Gym will flaunt his dreaded boxing skills in front of his townmates as he headlines Pinoy Pride 43 on November 22. Magsayo will defend his WBO international featherweight title against dangerous Shota Hayashi (30-6-1,18KOs) of Japan.

“I can still remember that fight, it’s still fresh in my mind. I was a young amateur boxer at that time who dreamed of becoming a pro boxer. Now my dream of showcasing my talent to my fellow Boholanos has come true and I am very excited and honored for this opportunity,” said Magsayo during the launching of PP 43 yesterday at St. Mark Hotel.

He was joined by ALA Boxing Gym trainer Edmund Villamor, “Prince” Albert Pagara (29-1-0,19KOs) and Jeo “Santino” Santisima (14-2-0,13KOs) who will all fight in the undercard.

“I promise the Boholano boxing fans a great fight and I promise them a knockout victory,” added Magsayo.

Villamor said they decided to pit Magsayo against Hayashi to see if the latter is ripe for a world title shot.

Magsayo is currently ranked No. 2 featherweight by the WBO.

“Hayashi is an unpredictable opponent, he can slug and box at the same time and he is a busy fighter who has a style which for us is a fitting test if Magsayo is ready for a world title shot,” said Villamor.

Magsayo is hoping to fight WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez of Mexico if given the chance that’s why he is aiming for an impressive win on Nov. 25.

“I want to fight Valdez but my promoters decided to give me another test. I am up to the challenge and I can fight any boxer they throw at me,” added Magsayo.

The 29-year old Hayashi beat world title challenger Akifumi Shimoda to win the Japan featherweight title.

Meanwhile, Pagara and Santisima will also have tough assignments against Tanzanian Mohammed Kambaluta (17-3-0, 6KOs) and Indonesian Kichang “The Lion from Borneo” Kim (8-4-1, 2KOs), respectively.

Ex-world title challengers Rocky “Road Warrior” Fuentes and Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem will also fight in the undercard.

Fuentes, who fought but lost to former pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzales of Nicaragua for the WBC world flyweight title, will fight Ryan Tampus for six rounds while Jerusalem’s opponent is yet to be named.

A total of nine fights will be featured in the 43rd edition of Pinoy Pride boxing series of the ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports and Action.