Magsayo awaits new foe
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 16 Sep 2020
Magsayo (L) with trainer Freddie Roach.
IBF No. 4 featherweight Mark Magsayo will face a still unidentified opponent at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Oct. 3 but couldn’t care less whom he battles after original foe Jose Haro backed out a few days ago. He continues to train with Freddie Roach and strength/conditioning coach Justin Fortune, staying focused in the gym since landing in L. A. from Manila last July.
Haro’s withdrawal came as a surprise, what with the fight set less than three weeks away. He released a six-minute video on his Facebook page, reading a three-page essay to explain his decision. Haro, 33, said he’s hanging up his gloves after three of his six children begged him to retire from the ring. In the video, he disclosed that he tested positive for COVID-19 about two months back but has been cleared by doctors to return to the gym.
Haro said it all started with a mild cold and his wife Yesenia Bautista suggested to take a COVID-19 test. After the result turned out positive, Haro was told his sparring partner was also infected. Haro kept his condition secret. Although now virus-free, Haro said he’s still feeling a bit under the weather with a headache and stuffy nose. Haro’s wife, a nurse, is expecting to deliver their seventh child, a girl, in November and the fighter said “I’m happy I’m leaving (boxing) with good health to enjoy life with my family.” He said “it breaks my heart having to say this, I’ll never fight again.” The appointment with Magsayo was initially scheduled on Sept. 23 and when it was reset to Oct. 3, Haro took the postponement as a sign to walk away.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Haro should never have agreed to fight Magsayo. Or he should’ve backed out when he tested positive so Gibbons would’ve had over two months to look for a replacement. “I’m looking frantically for another opponent,” Gibbons said yesterday. Magsayo, however, is unperturbed. “Okay lang sa akin, kahit sino kalaban,” he messaged from L. A. “Tuloy pa rin ang training.” Magsayo said he has sparred over 50 rounds since arriving in the US and is doing up to eight rounds a session, working with a rotation of four fighters including Armenian superbantamweight Azat Hovhannisyan. He also sparred with former WBC superlightweight champion Viktor Postol before the Ukrainian fought Jose Carlos Ramirez last month. Magsayo said Roach recently added a Mexican, whom he described as bigger than him, in the sparring rotation.
The coming bout will be Magsayo’s first since joining the MP stable this year. Gibbons recently revealed that he could’ve arranged for Magsayo to fight for the world title on Sept. 19 but hedged to give the Tacloban slugger a chance to prove himself in a tune-up. The ultimate goal is for Magsayo, 25, to challenge WBC featherweight titlist Gary Russell, Jr. who’s tied up with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions stable. Magsayo’s record is 20-0, with 14 KOs while Russell’s mark is 31-1, with 18 KOs. Russell, 32, won the WBC 126-pound crown in 2015 and has since compiled five successful defenses.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
June 6 announcement: Padley-Fiaz to Main Event in Sheffield after Galal Yafai setback
Fri, 15 May 2026Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Ready to Settle Unfinished Business in Saturday’s Hometown Rematch against Nahir Albright LIVE on DAZN
Fri, 15 May 2026Eros Correa vs. Anthony Garnica, Set to Clash for WBC Continental Americas Title.
Fri, 15 May 2026Eman-Perez rematch now title-match
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 15 May 2026Montreal Experience greatly benefited Undefeated Kansas boxing prospect Marco Romero for this Saturday’s fight
Fri, 15 May 2026”MERCILESS” RAY MERCER TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 15 May 2026IIEE Metro Central dominates the IIEE National Midyear Convention sportsfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 15 May 2026Ancajas Boxing team to join Koronadal slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 15 May 2026Jojo Legaspi eyes four squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 15 May 2026Paras ready to face Yokoyama on June 6
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 14 May 2026Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Thu, 14 May 2026Champion Outside the Ring: Gustavo Trujillo and Bio Cell Wellness Group Support Children with Autism Through Life-Changing Therapies
Thu, 14 May 2026IBA and WBA successfully deliver first joint professional training course for referees and judges
Wed, 13 May 2026GAB to give managers, matchmakers and trainers 3 years license
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 13 May 2026ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
Wed, 13 May 2026