MAGSAYO'S BAPTISM OF FIRE: 'MAGNIFICO' BUCKS THIRD ROUND KNOCKDOWN TO STOP AVALOS IN 6TH (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Apr 2016
CEBU CITY ? Rising featherweight star Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo of the Philippines bucked a third round knockdown to stop Chris Avalos of Lancaster, Califorina in the 6th round to capture the WBO international featherweight title in what was a nerve-wracking fight in front of close to 30,000 shrieking fans at the Cebu City Sports Center here, the hotbed of boxing in the Philippines, Saturday night.
Magsayo used his superior speed to out-punch Avalos in the first round. In the second round, best of Mark Magsayo was on display as he tagged Avalos with hard rights and lefts to the head in rapid fire succession that wobbled the visiting American. Magsayo, sensing that he could finish Avalos, poured it on but the American survived the onslaught.
In the third round, Avalos calmed himself while Magsayo appeared to gassed out. Seeing that his opponent was breathing hard, Avalos put on the pressure and drove Magsayo in the neutral corner until he caught Magsayo with a couple of hard lefts that sent the Filipino to the canvas for the first time in his career. It was Avalos turn to try to finish off Magsayo, but the Boholano native held on to finish the round.
In the 4th round, Avalos kept the pressure as Magsayo was trying to survive using his speed to evade Avalos's punches and even scored with head shots of his own.
In the 5th round, Magsayo appeared to be back on his feet and towards the second half of the round, with the mammoth crowd chanting his name, Magsayo tagged Avalos with a series of head shots that wobbled the American who, it appeared, was one punch away from getting knocked down. Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan positioned himself ready to get in and stop the fight anytime but the bell rang to save Avalos.
Towards the break, ringside physicians Jose Unabia and Rene Bonsubre climbed the ring to check on Avalos's condition, after a huddle with Avalos's corner, Avalos was allowed to continue to fight.
Magsayo, sensing that Avalos was ready for the taking, approached his prey and connected with a series of unanswered punches forcing Avalos's corner to throw in the towel as Magsayo, together the hometown crowd, erupted in wild celebration.
The young Magsayo, who improved his record to 14 wins with 11 knockouts, thus passed his baptism of fire and by displaying courage, heart, power and speed, he has made an emphatic statement that he is a fighter to be reckoned with in his division.
Photos by Levi Deresas / PhilBoxing.com.
Magsayo connects with a right on Avalos.
Avalos sends Magsayo to the canvas in the 3rd round.
Avalos's corner throws in the towel as Magsayo finishes off Avalos in the 6th round.
Magsayo drops to his knee as Referee Danrex Tapdasan waives off the fight.
Team Magsayo celebrates as Avalos heads off to his corner.
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