Magsayo coming home only as champ
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 31 Aug 2021
Magsayo raises his hands after a come from win against Ceja on Aug. 21, 2021 in Las Vegas.
Mark Magsayo has no plans of coming home until he becomes the world champion and he’s one or two steps away from clinching a title shot. He’s lived in Los Angeles for a year with wife Frances and together, they’re focused on only one thing----to get that belt.
In the recent Manny Pacquiao-Yordenis Ugas undercard, Magsayo avoided impending disaster and scored a dramatic come-from-behind knockout over former WBC superbantamweight champion Julio Ceja at 0:50 of the 10th round. The fight was scheduled for 12 rounds and billed as a WBC title eliminator with the vacant WBO International crown on the line.
“Sobrang saya,” said Magsayo. “Thanks to God na binigyan Niya ako ng lakas. Ang style ni Ceja nakuha ko sa first round at bumagsak kaso pasok siya ng pasok. Nilaro ko yung laro niya kaya natumba ako sa fifth.” With coach Ismael Salas advising in his corner, Ceja bounced back from his early trip to the canvas to sweep the next five rounds on the three judges scorecards. A brutal body attack put Magsayo on the defensive and a left hook to the jaw sent him down in the fifth.
Ceja, 28, hadn’t fought in nearly two years and progressively ran out of steam. Starting the seventh, Magsayo began to pick up and reversed the tide. Ceja continued to come forward but wasn’t as active in throwing so that opened the opportunity for Magsayo to time his counters. In the 10th, Magsayo blasted a right straight through Ceja’s defense. Ceja was on the way down as Magsayo landed another crushing right to the head. The Mexican was out cold on the canvas as Magsayo pulled it out of the fire. Judges Max De Luca and Lisa Giampa had it 86-83 and judge Don Trella, 87-82, all for Ceja after nine rounds.
Magsayo said patience worked its magic. “Sabi ni coach Freddie (Roach) at coach Marvin (Somodio), mapapagod din si Ceja at kung dalhin ako sa corner, yakap lang tapos punta sa gitna ng ring,” he said. “Binantayan niya ang hook ko, hindi yung straight at bumuka na ang kaniyang depensa. Naka-adjust na ako at nakita ko groggy siya sa straight. Doon ako nag-follow up at ‘di na siya makakita.”
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Magsayo may do another tune-up before going for the title. If WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell relinquishes and moves up to superfeatherweight, Magsayo will be pitted against No. 1 contender Rey Vargas for the vacant throne. Vargas, 30, stands 5-10 with a 70 1/2 wingspan and is the former WBC superbantamweight ruler toting a 34-0 record, including 22 KOs. Magsayo, 26, is 5-6 with a 68-inch reach and has a 23-0 record, with 16 KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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