Leaving ALA
Boholano boxer Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo has started a new chapter in his blossoming boxing career as he signed up with a new promoter after five years of fighting under ALA Promotions International.
The 22-year-old Tagbilaran City native, who is undefeated in 18 fights, revealed that he has signed up with a new manager, Malaysia-based Vikram Sivapragasam, and a new promoter in Las Vegas-based Now Boxing Promotions of Joe Dunkin.
Magsayo, whose contract with ALA has already expired, said he hopes to have a bright future with his new team.
“With my new team in the corner, I hope that all will come smoothly as planned to get a world championship bout in the future,” said Magsayo.
He added he is having “mixed emotions” with this development.
“I’m still thankful to them (ALA Promotions). But there are a lot of things that have to be considered, especially since I am aiming for a world championship bout,” he said.
Magsayo is the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) international featherweight champion and currently the top-ranked contender in his division.
He will become the mandatory challenger of current world featherweight champion Oscar Valdez of Mexico.
Magsayo is ranked seventh in IBF and number two in WBC.
Magsayo has not fought since November 25, 2017, where he defended his WBO international featherweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision victory against Shota Hayashi of Japan in front of his hometown folks in Tagbilaran City.
That was his last fight under ALA Promotions International.
The Boholano now joins Uzbek sluggers Qudratillo Abduqahorov and Azizbek Abdugofurov in Sivapragasam’s team.
Before he left ALA Promotions International, Magsayo became one of the team’s marquee fighters, the others being three-division world champion Donnie Nietes, former world champion Milan Melindo and world title challenger Jonas Sultan.
The Boholano knockout artist earned his popularity among Filipino boxing fans after his epic duel against the more favored former world title challenger Chris Avalos on April 24, 2016, at the Cebu City Sports Center, where he won by a sixth-round technical knockout.
Magsayo also said he still has no idea when he will leave for Las Vegas to join his new team.