Magsayo to use title fight purse to buy house for parents

MANILA, Philippines — Mark Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) is celebrating his first-ever world championship in the best way possible — by giving back to the people who raised him.

After earning what is probably the highest purse in his young career after a win over Gary Russell Jr. (31-2, 18 KOs) on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) to claim the WBC featherweight title, Magsayo is planning to spend it to help his parents.

"Ang bibilhin ko bahay, kasi pangarap ko talaga maibili yung parents ko ng bahay," Magsayo told The STAR's Quinito Henson and ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo on PlayitrightTV after the fight.

Set to be erected in Bohol, the house and lot will be Magsayo's finale of gifts from his boxing earnings to his parents after giving smaller presents in his previous fights.

"Business muna yung ibinigay ko kasi di pa kaya bumili ng bahay [dati]," Magsayo said.

"Binigyan ko ng bakery yung papa ko, natupad na, binigyan ko ng bangka kasi gusto niya magkaron ng bangka. Naibigay ko na lahat, bahay na lang," he added.

Magsayo's parents were among the pug's sources of inspiration heading into the fight against Russell, where the challenger was considered a heavy underdog.

The 26-year-old even said that his father not believing he could become world champion pushed him to take the tremendous upset.

And after taking the win against Russell, Magsayo finally gained his father's confidence.

"Sabi niya ubos na bilib niya sakin. Kasi dati di pa siya masyadong bilib sakin," Magsayo said of his conversation with his father after the fight.

"Sinabi niya 'Dati Mark, di pa ko masyado bilib sayo... Ngayon na world champion ka na, ubos na lahat ng bilib ko sayo'... [Ginusto ko] patunayan ko talaga sa Papa ko na kaya ko maging world champion kaya nagpursigi ako palagi," he added.