Philippines, 05 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Good fight, but where?s the killer punch?


PhilBoxing.com




IT would not be fair to call it a great fight. Nor confirm the unbeaten Mark Magpayo of the ALA Stable as magnificent.

They were able to serve a competitive bout in Pinoy Pride 43 over the weekend. The huge hometown crowd in Tagbilaran, Bohol was visibly delighted.

Magsayo, 22, second-ranked contender for the WBO world featherweight crown, retained his International featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over Shota Hiyashi, 30, a former Japanese domestic featherweight champion.

**

Hiyashi, brought in as a trial horse, proved better than advertised. He pushed Magsayo to the limit. At the same time, the tough veteran Japanese warrior helped expose weak spots in Magsayo?s game, mainly in defense.

Magsayo claimed after the bout that he had never promised a knockout win.

His adoring townmates did not seem to mind that he could only deliver a so-so points victory.

But farther away from Tagbilaran, there was a gasp of collective disbelief, if not disappointment, after Magsayo failed to produce a single knockdown.

Magsayo?s record now stands at 18-0, with 13 KOs. He has has been peddled off as a knockout sensation.

?Saan napunta knockout niya, what happened?? cried Joel Negro, a keen and avid boxing spectator from the Hulo fish market in Mandaluyong City. Out in the city wet market sports hub, fight fans started wondering if it would be wise to immediately push the well-hyped Magsayo toward a challenge for the world crown.

**

There?s no denying Magsayo, who had also been wild and reckless inside the ring, has considerably improved. He has displayed amusing rhythm, and a measure of control.

On the whole though, there were loose moments when he would leave himself an open target, preferring to stay tough-necked in the middle while trying to score big.

Magsayo might need a few more big fights in order to mature.

**

So when could we know if he qualify to fight for a world crown?

?We won?t know until he fights one of the world champions,? said Dong Secuya, founder and chief editor of philboxing.com, lead world boxing web site.

?We know he has the potential,? he added. ?Hopefully he will not end up like Jason Pagara who has more than 40 wins but has yet to fight a top-caliber fighter.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Fight options for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The World Cup: a great celebration of peace and joy
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason vs Albert Bell Debuts DAZN/TNT Sports Deal
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Jonas Magpantay advances to the quarterfinals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • All Set for the All-Undefeated Clash Between Christopher Guerrero and Delante 'Tiger' Johnson Tomorrow Night in Cleveland
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Brave Alvin "Felemon" Dologuin Bested in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • BKFC TRIUMPHANTLY RETURNS TO NEWARK’S PRUDENTIAL CENTER ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Tony Yoka forced to withdraw from Murat Gassiev WBA heavyweight title shot due to back injury
    , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Recarte Tiauson wins Canlaon chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Set for All-Ohio World Title Clash Saturday LIVE on TNT & DAZN
    , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Dologuin Fights Alsayyad: Flyweight Showdown Today in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Enano to fight for IBO Oceania featherweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • IM Garcia captures National Open chess title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.