Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SKY SPORTS CLAIMS MAGSAYO SET TO INHERIT PACQUIAO?S CROWN


PhilBoxing.com




As Filipino boxing fans look for a possible successor to eight division world champion and one of the greatest fighters of all-time, Sky Sports in Britain claims that at the age of just 20, Mark Magsayo is bidding to replace Manny Pacquiao as the darling of Filipino boxing.

Repoter Isaac Robinson says that ?in terms of a nation embracing a fighter - or, for that matter, a sportsman - being billed an heir to Pacquiao presents the very biggest of metaphorical thrones to sit on. So adored is 'Pac Man' that he's moved smoothly (or not so smoothly) into politics over the twilight of his boxing career and while Manny may have lost the 'Fight of the Century' against Floyd Mayweather and officially retired in the wake of April's points victory over Timothy Bradley as the sport's only eight-division world champion, the Philippines already has other fighters on the world scene such as four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire (37-3-KO24) - but while the exploits of 'The Filipino Flash' will no doubt shine brighter now, a significant proportion of hopes will be transferred to Magsayo.?

On April 23, Donaire and Magsayo (14-0-KO11) fought on the same ?Its About Time? card at the sprawling Cebu Sports Center with Donaire defending his WBO world super-bantamweight title against Zsolt Bedak, while Magsayo took on former Carl Frampton victim, Chris Avalos, with a jump up in the WBO featherweight rankings on the line.

Robinson points out that while both excelled in what could be seen as auditions, needless to say, Donaire and Magsayo are in different weight divisions and are not mutually exclusive in terms of support, and both ended thrilling contests with stoppage victories.

Donaire has mixed it with the very best, of course. Aside from a points defeat in his second professional bout, the 33-year-old has only lost at the very top; outmaneuvered on points by the slick Guillermo Rigondeaux in April 2013 and then blasted out in six rounds by Nicholas Walters in October 2014.

It's was clear the defeat against Walters simply represented a step too far for Donaire, who was fighting a featherweight who has since stepped up to super-featherweight. Two quick-fire stoppage victories later, he was back at 122lbs to claim a world super-bantamweight crown by outpointing Cesar Juarez.

Sky Sports believes that if Donaire cares to become the national boxing hero (and there's no suggestion it's something keeping him up at night), he faces a problem in that so much of his greatness has been overlooked while Pacquiao ran amok; overlooked not just by his countrymen but by the world in general. Conversely, Magsayo is just starting as Pacquiao is finishing.

Although officially there's less than an inch in height between them, Magsayo seems naturally rangier than Pacquiao was. Pacquiao won his first world title at flyweight, while Magsayo has weighed in for all his professional contests to date as a featherweight. He's likely to move up soon enough as he continues to grow 'into his body'.

Recalling the fight against celebrated American Chris Avalos, Sky Sports notes that the youngster (Magsayo) ?served up drama aplenty against Avalos. The Cebu crowd were enjoying their man's aggression but were suddenly aghast in the third round, when Avalos (26-5-KO19) felled the home fighter with a left hook. Magsayo made the sign of the cross and rose to his feet to grimly survive the remaining minute and a half of the session.

Reporter Robinson notes that ?having consolidated in the fourth, Magsayo found a sweet counter-left of his own to wobble Avalos late in the fifth. The ruthless manner in which he capitalized - throwing left hooks and right hooks with fluency - evoked memories of Pacquiao on the charge. At the bell that briefly postponed his defeat, Avalos was leaning stunned on the ropes, the crowd going wild.

With fans baying for an emphatic finish, it took him a minute of the sixth to truly find the American again but when he did, a brutal four-punch combination was interrupted by a towel sailing in from the visiting corner.?

While Sky Sports says ? It wasn't polished and it was fraught with danger and adversity, but Magsayo had once again exhibited a style in victory that is bound to attract attention, sponsors and support... just as he did on his US debut in October 2015, when he stopped Yardley Suarez inside the opening round? at the Stub Hub Center in Carson City, California.

Sky Sports concludes, ?Pacquiao's career benefited from broadening exposure when he stole the undercard on Lennox Lewis v Mike Tyson with a second-round stoppage of Jorge Eliecer Julio. He was 23 at the time. Whether he is a worthy heir or not, Magsayo's introduction to the big stage may come even sooner.?

Photo: The author (C) with Mark Magsayo (L) and Nonito Donaire Jr (R) at the Cebu City Sports Center on Saturday, April 23.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.