‘Battle in Bohol’ tonight
WBO International featherweight champion Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (second from left) and his Japanese challenger Shota Hayashi pose during the official weigh-on of 'Pinoy Pride 43:Battle in Bohol' yesterday at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City. They are joined by WBO fight supervisor Leon Panoncillo (left) and ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer (second from right). Paul Jun E. Rosaroso
TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo (16-0, 12KOs) will try to hurdle one major obstacle in his road towards a world title shot as he defends his WBO International featherweight belt against Japanese challenger Shota Hayashi (30-6, 18KOs) in the main event of the "Pinoy Pride 43:Battle in Bohol" before his hometown fans tonight here at the Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium.
“Aside from fighting for a world title, fighting in front of my family, friends and fans here in Tagbilaran is also one of my dreams and finally here it is,” said an emotional Magsayo, who tipped the scales as exactly 126 pounds, one pound lighter than the Japanese challenger during the official weigh-in yesterday at the Island City Mall.
Magsayo has high respects for Hayashi, a seasoned warrior who once held the Japanese featherweight crown, but he is confident of pulling off a resounding victory over the Japanese visitor.
“I believe him (Hayashi) when he said that he is going for a knockout and that makes me happy. I know that he is a tough opponent but I am hungrier than him,” said the WBO ranked No.2 Magsayo. “If he’s careless, then I think this will be a short night for him.”
ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer said Magsayo can’t afford to lose as it will jeopardize his chances for a world title eliminator against the top-ranked Joseph Diaz next year.
“We are looking at a world title eliminator for Magsayo against Diaz, maybe next year. The winner will be the challenger for the word title currently held by Mexican superstar Oscar Valdez,” said Aldeguer. “Mark should show us that he is ready and Hayashi will surely provide enough challenge for him.”
In the supporting bouts, ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara (28-1, 19KOs) hopes to sustain his hot comeback as he battles Mohammed Kambaluta (17-3, 6KOs) of Tanzania, while Jeo ‘Santino’ Santisima eyes an early knockout win against Kichacng Kim (8-4, 2KOs) of Indonesia.
The rest of the card features one-time world title challenger Melvin Jerusalem vs Jestoni Autida; Rocky Fuentes vs Ryan Tampus; Virgil Vitor vs John Ray Logatiman; Christian Bacolod vs Ryan Makuputin; and Esneth Domingo vs Lowell Saguisa. (FREEMAN)
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