MAGSAYO OVERCOMES FIRST BIG TEST WITH MAGNIFICENT 5TH ROUND KO OF MEXICO?S RUGGED RAFAEL REYES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 Jul 2015
Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo lived up to his moniker by putting on a magnificent performance in scoring a smashing 5th round knockout of rugged Mexican slugger Rafael Reyes before a huge crowd of wildly cheering fans at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on Saturday night.
Magsayo who has been hyped as a genuine world title prospect even had t-shirts with his face emblazoned on the front alongside a similar product featuring WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes at an ALA Gym outlet at the entrance to the Grand Pacific Ballroom, reflecting the confidence ALA Promotions has in the 20 year old from Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Having engaged five division world champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire in some torrid exchanges during sparring at the ALA Gym as Donaire also prepared for a fight in Macau against former European champion Antony Settoul on July 18, Magsayo looked ripped, ready and oozing with confidence.
But the blue chip prospect had his hands full against a tough opponent in a battle for the IBF Youth featherweight title which was an action-packed affair while it lasted with Reyes refusing to back down as the Mexican tended to complain too much to referee Ver Abainza.
Mexican Rafael Reyes raises the hand of Mark Magsayo after the fight in a sign of good sportsmanship.
GAB Commissioner and IBF supervisor Fritz Gaston (L) puts on the IBF belt on Magsayo with Referee Ver Abaiza.
After a terrific opening round in which both fighters traded some big hooks, Magsayo scored a knockdown in the 3rd round in a confusing sequence as Reyes tried to complain about a supposed low blow but Reyes forgot the time-honored tradition of protecting yourself at all times and paid the price.
Magsayo quickly found his rhythm and began to throw vicious combinations as he went for a knockout which came his way during a three-punch combination capped by a perfectly timed, uppercut that dropped Reyes who spat out his mouthpiece as referee Abainza correctly called a halt to the bout at the 2:29 mark.
Young Kevin ?KJ" Cataraja made his professional debut against resilient Indonesian Ardi Tefa and won by a 5th round knockout sending the Indonesian to the canvas grimacing in pain as ?KJ? caught him with a wicked left hook to the liver.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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