IT was Mark Magsayo?s dream 12 years ago, as a nine-year-old kid, that someday he?ll be fighting under the spotlight of a huge boxing show in his hometown of Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Now that his dream is finally coming true, the 22-year-old fast-rising prospect vows to put on a show tonight in his World Boxing Organization (WBO) International featherweight title defense against Japanese Shota Hayashi im the main event of Pinoy Pride 43 – ?The Battle in Bohol? at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium.
?Somebody is getting knocked out. I want to knock him out and he also wants to knock me out. He?s experienced that?s why I won?t take any chances. We have also trained to go the distance,? said Magsayo.
Magsayo, known to be very aggressive, said that he?ll follow a more technical approach after learning his lesson from his fight with Chris Avalos.
?I won?t fight recklessly, I?ll fight intelligently. I won?t come in and trade punches with him,? he said.
Magsayo was decked for the first time in his career last year, against Avalos. But he rose from the third round knockout and stopped Avalos in the sixth.
?I?m very happy and excited that I?m here. This is my first time as the main event in my hometown. I?m happy because my dream came true but I?ll be even happier if I become a world champion,? said Magsayo.
Magsayo is on the verge of a world title shot being rated No. 2 in the WBO featherweight division, wherein Oscar Valdez in the current title holder.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer has said that this fight will be a gauge if Magsayo is ready for a world championship fight.
Magsayo is 17-0 with 13 knockouts, while the 30-year-old Hayashi is 30-6-1 with 18 knockouts.
Albert Pagara (28-1, 19 KOs) is up against Tanzanian Mohammed Kambuluta (16-3, 6 KOs) in the main supporting bout.
Heavy-handed Jeo Santisima (14-2, 12 KOs) faces off with Indonesian Kichang Kim (8-4-1, 2 KOs) in the other main feature.
In the undercard, Virgel Vitor (11-1, 7 KOs) trades leathers with John Ray Logatiman (6-6-2, 2 KOs). Melvin Jerusalem (11-2, 7 KOs) faces off with last-minute replacement Jesoni Racoma (6-2-1, 2 KOs). Unbeaten Esneth Domingo (7-0, 4 KOs) is fighting Lowell Saguisa (7-26-1, 3 KOs), while former world title contender Rocky Fuentes (35-9-2, 20 KOs) makes his ring return against Ryan Tampus (11-20, 8 KOs) after a layoff of close to a year. Roli Gasca (23-8-1, 7 KOs) looks to end a two-fight losing streak as he takes on Boholano Jason Tinampay (8-6-1, 7 KOs) and Christian Bacolod (7-0, 5 KOs) locks horns with Ryan Makaputin (12-10-2, 4 KOs).
