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:
Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
Tue, 24 Mar 2026Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 24 Mar 2026National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships
Tue, 24 Mar 2026SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
Mon, 23 Mar 2026Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
Sun, 22 Mar 2026IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
Sun, 22 Mar 2026King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 22 Mar 2026