Moving Up in Weight: Pros and Cons
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Jan 2025
Mark Magsayo.
It was reported recently that Mark Magsayo is moving up in weight again to the lightweights to pursue bigger fights, including a possible clash with Gervonta 'Tank' Davis.
Magsayo once reigned as WBC featherweight champion defeating the difficult Gary Russell Jr. in 2020. After losing his belt by split decision to the rangy and talented Mexican Rey Vargas, he had another chance at becoming world champion in the division once again but he dropped another close decision to Brandon Figueroa. He then moved up to the super featherweight where he won two straight bouts. In his last fight, he won by impressive 1st round over an Ecuadorian in his first bout at lightweight.
His recent victory has reportedly earned him a world ranking in the lightweight at the WBA where Tank Davis is the defending titlist. Before that, he is also rated highly by nearly all boxing bodies at super featherweight like fellow Pinoy former Olympian Charly Suarez.
Magsayo moving up to 135 lbs has pros and cons.
The pros hold promise as far as advancing further Magsayo's fistic career.
Primarily, it precluded a competition between him and Suarez for attention and support for world title bid at super featherweight had he decided to stay at 130 lbs. Governor Luis Chavit Singson is reportedly dead set at sponsoring Suarez world title challenge against WBC titlist Emanuel Navarette sometime this year with a plan to hold the bout either in Metro Manila or up North. Meanwhile, MP Promotions is reportedly keen on pushing Mark's potentials as a lightweight.
Magsayo will give us a presence at lightweight where his maturing physique, strength and proven punching power would serve him in good stead. We did not have a truly world class competitor at 135 lbs since Manny Pacquiao and Mercito Gesta and that was a long time ago.
However, the cons are equally daunting.
Although Magsayo meets the requirements in terms of size and physique and perhaps strength and punching power, many of the current competitors in the division are taller and could rehydrate as welterweights or heavier which could pose problems at fight time if the Filipino camp would not watch out and push for pre-fight rehydration limits especially in important bouts.
Unlike in the super featherweights, the current titleholders and leading contenders are comparatively more formidable like Tank Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Vasily Lomachenko (who, however, is on extended medical leave), Denys Berenchyk, Keyshawn Davis, Jose Valenzuela, Andy Cruz, among others.
Frankly speaking, it would be very lucky for Magsayo to get past a few top rated contenders and very, very lucky to upset one of the aforementioned titleholders.
While we are in this topic, I think it is high time for fighters like Jerwin Ancajas, Mike Plania and Joe Noynay to seriously think about staying in the weight divisions they are currently fighting in. I sincerely believe that Jerwin has to find the fighting weight where he would again be comfortable and effective to the point of regaining his world class status. That is I think above the bantamweight. As for Plania and Noynay, I think they would be better fighting a division lower than where they are now, i.e. featherweights and welterweights.
And that goes to other Pinoy fighters too, most of whom find it easier and more convenient just to move up in weight class.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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