World featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, who is in the country for a four-week vacation, is eyeing to climb the ring twice before 2022 comes to a close.
“I can still do two more fights this year,” Magsayo told Daily Tribune from his hometown of Tagbilaran in Bohol where he gifted his parents with a house.
Joined by wife and manager Frances Arbie, Magsayo arrived here on 26 February from Los Angeles, where they have been residing since July 2020.
The long-awaited trip was a reward for winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) 126-lb crown from Gary Russell Jr. last January.
“When we came to the US almost two years ago, we both made a promise that we would only return to the Philippines once we win a world title,” Magsayo, 26, said.
Magsayo’s rise was delayed by the pandemic.
In total, including his title-winning effort, Magsayo fought just four times in a span of 22 months.
Before dethroning Russell, Magsayo defeated Rigoberto Hermosillo, Pablo Cruz and Julio Ceja.
The Ceja conquest was extra-special.
It happened underneath the Manny Pacquiao-Yordenis Ugas welterweight bout at the T-Mobile Arena in August 2021.
Behind on the scorecards, Magsayo exploded with a perfectly-timed right to Ceja’s jaw for a dramatic 10th-round knockout.
Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, Magsayo, holder of a 24-0 record with 16 knockouts, will be back at the Wild Card as soon as he recovers from jet lag.
“My next fight will be in July or even August and if we keep on winning, I would like to fight by December,” he said.
Mexican Rey Vargas has been mentioned as a possible rival but the identity won’t be known until he heads back to America.
If Magsayo keeps on winning this year, expect him to take another long flight to the Philippines.
This time, Mark and Frances will be shopping for a house that they will call their own.
“So, it’s important that I continue winning,” he said.
