Italian next for Magsayo?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Jul 2025
Magsayo (R) connects with a short left at Mata.
Newly-crowned WBC Continental Americas superfeatherweight champion Mark Magsayo may be up against WBC Silver titlist Michael Magnesi of Italy in his next fight which could be on the “Thrilla In Manila” Golden Anniversary card in the works at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 4. If the match materializes, it will be the final title eliminator to determine WBC 130-pound ruler O’Shaquie Foster’s upcoming challenger.
Magsayo, 30, kept his hopes for a second world title alive by outpointing Mexico’s Jorge Mata in a 10-round romp on the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios undercard in Las Vegas last weekend. There was no debate on the outcome as the decision was unanimous with judges Mike Fitzgerald and Jack Reiss scoring a shutout, 100-90, and judge Glenn Feldman, 98-92, all for Magsayo. But Mata was tough as nails and suffered only his third loss in 26 outings. Magsayo, a former WBC featherweight champion, raised his record to 28-2, with 18 KOs.
“Napaghandaan namin si Mata at in-expect na matibay siya kaya sabi ko, only if the KO presents itself, I will do it,” said Magsayo. “Masaya ang team sa performance ko at naipakita ang mga pinaghandaan namin, hindi sa lahat ng oras ay ma-knockout ang opponent. Hanggang 10 rounds ay nagbakbakan kami. Ang ganda ng laban at nag-enjoy ako sa ibabaw ng ring kasayaw si Mata. Of course, mag-improve tayo palagi for the next fight at pag-planuhan ng team na mabuti. Inaayos na ni Sir Sean (Gibbons) ang next na laban ko pero hindi alam kung si Rocky (Hernandez) dahil na-opera ang mata niya.” Hernandez is ranked No. 1 by WBC, Magsayo No. 2 and Magnesi No. 3.
Magsayo’s chief trainer Marvin Somodio said he’s not picking who’s next. “We can fight whomever is available for Mark,” he said. “I want Mark to use his speed and footwork more in the future just like what he did in the last two rounds against Mata. Mark was calm and very attentive in the fight.”
Former IBF superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas was supposed to box on the same Las Vegas undercard but couldn’t find an opponent approved by the State Athletic Commission. There were six fighters who were turned down. Ancajas wound up watching Magsayo, Eumir Marcial and Pacquiao at ringside.
“Maganda ang kondisyon nila,” said Ancajas who joined the three Filipino warriors in training in Los Angeles. “Nakuha na ni Eumir ang pro style. Handa na siya lumaban ng 10 rounds. At si Sir Manny, dapat siya ang nanalo.”
Ancajas, 33, has now been cleared to take on Uruguay’s Ruben Dario Casero in an eight-rounder at Thunder Studios, Long Beach, on Aug. 2. Casero, 32, totes a 13-4 record, with five KOs, and is coming off a sixth round stoppage of Federico Andres Penarrieta last May. It will be Casero’s second fight in the US and Ancajas’ ninth.
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