BOXING was never a part of Mark Magsayo?s life growing up as a young kid in Barangay Booy in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
As a kid, he used to sell ice cream on the streets and near beaches to help his parents get through the day.
But thanks to serendipity, boxing came to an eight-year-old Mark Magsayo in 2003.
?Boxing never really came into my mind. I used to sell ice cream to help my parents. One day I saw the (Manny) Pacquiao- (Marco Antonio) Barrera fight shown on the newly opened ALA Gym in Bohol. The following day, I quit selling ice cream and started boxing,? said Magsayo.
At first, Magsayo didn?t have the same success that he has now when he started out as an amateur fighter.
?I always lost back then,? said Magsayo, who was 12 years old at that time. ?I lost my first three fights to Bernard Torres. In our fourth fight, I finally won.?
Like Manny Pacquiao?s story, Magsayo?s mother was also against his boxing. And like Pacquiao, a good scolding would never dampen his enthusiasm.
?My mama would tell me to stop boxing. She would scold me. But that would never stop me,? he said.
There was also a time that Magsayo considered quitting the sport. However, there was something in him that would always draw him back to boxing.
?There was a time when I wanted to quit after I graduated from high school. But it wasn?t for long because my body would long for punches. When I watched fights I would say that I was better than the guy fighting. So that would make me want to fight again,? said Magsayo.
After years of honing his craft, winning national titles along the way, Magsayo will finally have the biggest test of his boxing career on April 23 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Magsayo along with World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight Nonito Donaire Jr. and unbeaten Aussie prospect Paul Fleming are featured in one of the biggest boxing events in Cebu, a co-promotion by US-based Top Rank and Cebu-based ALA Promotions.
Toughest foe
?I?m very excited because he is my toughest opponent,? said the 20-year-old Magsayo. ?This is what I have been waiting for all my life. I will do my best so that I can be able to fight champions like Carl Frampton and Oscar Valdez.?
Magsayo trades leathers with former world title challenger Chris Avalos for the vacant WBO International featherweight belt.
Though up against the toughest and most experienced opponent that he has ever faced, Magsayo is unfazed.
?I think his experience isn?t an advantage because, I?m also experienced with my long amateur boxing background,? he said.
Everything has been so surreal for Mark Magsayo. From selling ice cream in the streets of Tagbilaran City to being one of the hottest young prospects in the country.
?I never really imagined myself to be a champion at 19 years old. I thank ALA for the countless opportunities.?
