Weight no issue for Magsayo
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 12 Jan 2022
Mark Magsayo.
The nutritionist who got Hidilyn Diaz ready for last year’s Tokyo Olympics will leave for the US today to join undefeated Mark Magsayo’s team for his title crack against WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr. at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Jan. 22. Despite the rise in COVID cases in the US, MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday it’s all systems go for Magsayo’s fight of a lifetime.
Magsayo, 26, has been training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles with coach Freddie Roach, assistant coach Marvin Somodio and conditioning coach Pedro Garcia. He arrived in LA with wife Frances from Manila in July 2020 and has since chalked up three wins, including a knockout over former world titlist Julio Ceja last August to set up the shot at Russell’s throne. Magsayo’s team will leave LA for New Jersey on Jan. 18. “Ready na si Mark,” said Somodio. “Mas disciplined siya at alam niya nakasalalay ang kinabukasan niya dito.”
Nutritionist Jeaneth Aro said the WBC’s weight management protocols are unique in that reports are made 30, 14 and seven days before the fight to conform to limits. The close monitoring will avoid severe dehydration to make weight at the scales on the eve of the fight. “Meron kaming mga weight cut-offs na dapat ma-meet,” said Aro. She explained that under WBC rules, a fighter may go over the weight limit by up to 10 percent 30 days before a bout, five percent two weeks before and three percent seven days before.
Although Aro is based in Manila, she is in close contact with Magsayo and his wife. “Super disciplined si Mark, wala akong masabi,” she said. “Frances is very hard-working at masunurin. Pinoy foods lang lahat binibigay ko kay Mark, ayaw niya ng foreign foods. May rice at ulam plus gulay, tapos eggs and milk.” Aro said Magsayo isn’t choosy with fruits and he takes in whatever is in season. “Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes ang kinakain niyang madalas na fruits,” she continued. “Mahilig siya sa bulalo, actually. Nag-fried foods din once in a while.” Aro provides the recipes that Magsayo's wife uses to cook his food.
Russell, 33, was inactive last year and will end a layoff of 23 months when he takes on Magsayo. It’ll be his sixth title defense and he’s coming in as a heavy betting favorite. Early odds showed Russell a -714 favorite and Magsayo, a +400 underdog. A southpaw, Russell is known for his dazzling handspeed and smarts. His record is 31-1, with 18 KOs and the only stain was a loss by majority decision to Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2014. “I’m going through a man who’s prepared to place all of it on the road with all the things to achieve and nothing to lose,” said Russell.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 21 Apr 20262-Division World Champion Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Tue, 21 Apr 20262026 NBA Playoffs: First Round Game 1 Recap
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 20 Apr 2026FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu gains a total of 36 rating points, bringing his FIDE rating to 2321 by May after completing 2 chess tournaments in Spain
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 20 Apr 2026Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde Improves to 15-0 with 10th KO
Mon, 20 Apr 2026IBA Bare-Knuckle Director attends historic Gambian Elite National Championships
Sun, 19 Apr 2026Rosales stops Obedencio in RFL 4
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 19 Apr 2026Atty. Aldwin Alegre shines in 23rd Bangkok Chess Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Apr 2026Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
Sat, 18 Apr 2026AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Apr 2026