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Bohol pride Mark Magsayo fights in the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, where a victory could propel him to another world title shot

LAS VEGAS, USA – Mark Magsayo is looking past Jorge Mata Cuellar in their super featherweight tussle on Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20, Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

What he’s really after is the chance to become a two-division world champion. That is, if he beats the Mexican impressively in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios battle for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight belt.

“(MP Promotions president) Sean Gibbons is preparing another world championship fight for me, so I need to win over Cuellar impressively,” said Magsayo, the former world featherweight champion from Tagbilaran, Bohol, who has relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of ring glory.

“This (fight) is our stepping stone to a world title fight,” said Magsayo, baring that Gibbons intends to arrange it before the year ends.

Having prepared long and hard, the 30-year-old Magsayo is confident of improving his 27-win, 2-loss, 18-knockout record.

“I trained for three months in the Philippines then another three months in Los Angeles. I sparred 8-and 10-round sessions. It was a really good camp,” said Magsayo, adding that he benefited from workouts with Pacquiao, especially the mountain runs at the Griffith Park.

Magsayo said he felt good as he made weight at 129 pounds, same as his foe.

According to Magsayo, Cuellar is tailor-made for him because the Guadalajaran isn’t overly aggressive and doesn’t move much.

“There’s gonna be a knockdown. We’re going to give a good show and fight toe-to-toe,” Magsayo assured journalists during the undercard presser at the Studio Ballroom of the MGM Grand on Thursday.

Cuellar, 21-2-2 with 13 knockouts, feels upbeat like Magsayo.

“I prepared like never before. I’m ready to win,” said the 24-year-old Cuellar, 3 centimeters shorter than Magsayo at 5-foot-5.

This will be Magsayo’s second appearance in a Pacquiao headlinerIt, having knocked out Julio Ceja in the 10th round of the Pacquiao-Yordenis Ugas undercard in 2021.

Magsayo became the WBC featherweight king in 2022 when he beat Gary Russell, only to be dethroned by Rey Vargas in his first defense.

He has racked up three straight wins since then and wants to make Cuellar the fourth victim. – Rappler.com