CHRIS ?The Hitman? Avalos says he will mean business when he challenges the up-and-coming Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo in a 12-round bout for the WBO International Featherweight division title in the undercard of ?The Time Has Come: Donaire vs. Bedak? boxing spectacle on April 23 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Coming from a dismal 1-3 outing last year, the 26-year-old from Lancaster, California, is hoping the fight against Magsayo will bring his once promising career on the right track.
?People can think what they want to, but this is going be a good a fight. I have a game plan going into this fight. I am focused for this fight and I am thinking of nothing else. I mean business. I think about those losses and put it behind me now,? Avalos said in a press conference at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites yesterday.
Michael Criscio believes Magsayo has not fought talented boxers that Avalos (26-4, 19 KOs) has fought.
?Chris has superseded the talent this guy (Magsayo) has fought. (And I tell you) Chris is not a stepping stone. (Come fight night) you will see the Chris of old. You will see the same Avalos before his losses, that is somewhere on his 19th fight. The Chris Avalos that has been destroying people,? Criscio assured. Criscio claimed his ward?s only legitimate loss was a fifth-round TKO loss to Oscar Alvarez in September last year in Las Vegas.
?The only legitimate loss was against Alvarez. Those (split decision) losses had Chris winning. I don?t know how the judges scored those bouts. While his loss to (Carl) Frampton (for the IBF World super bantamweight title), we asked for postponement because Chris injured his wrist but we were not granted, so he fought and lost. But he is back to his old form and he will be ready to take on (Magsayo),? Criscio said.
All of Avalos losses were handed by unbeaten fighters, and Magsayo is an unbeaten fighter, carrying a 13-0, 10KOs card going into the Saturday fight night.
Avalos has been preparing hard for three months and sparred against boxers at the world famous Wildcard Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, California.
