Magsayo, who held a title at 126 pounds for six months in 2022, came out aggressively with a hard left jab in the opening round, but Cortes, looking a little fleshy at 135 pounds, rebounded nicely behind a sharp left jab of his own and nimble footwork.
Magsayo found his rhythm, particularly with snapping left hooks to the head and body, in the opening half of Round 2, before Cortes, again, fared well in the late going. Cortes took the initiative early in the third and landed a hard overhand right to Magsayo’s head that’s been the most memorable punch of the fight so far.
Cortes landed a body punch in the third that prompted Magsayo to bend as he was pushed by Cortes and touch his right glove to the canvas. Referee Celestino Diaz ruled a knockdown and gave Magsayo an 8-count once he rose but the referee was overruled by the commission, using replay.
Cortes is up 2-1 in rounds on the B/R card through three.