Magsayo fights on Manny undercard
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 May 2025
Manny Pacquiao and Mark Magsayo (L).
WBC No. 2 superfeatherweight Mark Magsayo is booked to fight a 10-rounder on the undercard of the main event featuring WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios against challenger Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on July 19. It won’t be an eliminator as a purse bid to seal a showdown with No. 1 contender Rocky Hernandez was called off after the Mexican reportedly underwent an eye operation.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday Magsayo’s opponent has yet to be determined. “After this fight, Mark’s next will be a WBC title eliminator against a top contender,” he added. If stars align, Magsayo could figure in a championship bout on the Oct. 4 golden anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla In Manila” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Magsayo, who now lives in Las Vegas, was at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles last weekend to attend the 30th anniversary of Freddie Roach’s base and stayed to greet Pacquiao on his first training session last Monday. Magsayo now trains at Gibbons’ Knuckleheads Gym in Las Vegas but starting June 4, he’ll be in LA working out alongside Pacquiao with trainer Marvin Somodio. “Every day ako nag-training sa Vegas kaya maintain ang kundisyon ko,” said Magsayo. “Pag dating ng six to eight weeks before the fight, sa LA kami mag-fine tune ni coach Marvin.”
Magsayo said he was thrilled to meet Pacquiao again. “Ang sabi ko kay Kuya Manny ay namimiss na siya ng lahat at excited kami sa laban niya,” he said. “Sasabay ako sa training niya simula ng June 4 at nasa LA na ako uli.”
Magsayo watched Pacquiao work out at Wild Card and was amazed. “Sa tingin ko kay Kuya Manny, sobra lakas pa at bali wala ang four years from last fight at edad kasi iba talaga siya dahil nakita ko nag-ensayo na walang tulog galing flight. Tumakbo sa umaga tapos nag-training diretso sa hapon. Sobrang saya na nakita ko ang aking idol at makakasama uli ako sa laban.“
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