Japanese veteran fighter Shota Hayashi will serve as a good test for undefeated Filipino featherweight Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, who seeks to climb up the featherweight ranks for a chance to secure the No. 1 ranking in the WBO.
Boxing analyst Dennis Principe said Hayashi, a veteran of 37 fights and a former domestic featherweight belt-holder, seems to be a risky fight for Magsayo, who hasn’t tasted a loss in 17 fights.
Magsayo and Hayashi clash in the main event of “Pinoy Pride 43” in Tagbilaran, Bohol on Saturday.
“Right now, Magsayo is in a position wherein a loss will push him back to square one,” Principe said, referring to the reigning WBO international featherweight champion who currently ranks No. 2 in the organization.
“He needs to win and maintain whatever he has gained . . . and the Japanese fighter is a good test being a former champion.”
Principe added that Magsayao will be able to showcase the kind of fighter he is, one with exceptional skills and proven durability.
This was evident in Magsayo’s 2016 bout with Chris Avalos of the US. Avalos dealt Magsayo a third-round knockdown, but Magsayo came back for a dramatic sixth-round stoppage win against Avalos.
“One thing I liked about that fight is, yes, he was careless he got floored but he proved he can comeback from a vicious punch. He was able to prove that he’s a skillful boxer but at the same time he’s a durable fighter,” Principe said.
