Sometime in mid-2020, with the world still coming to grips with the pandemic, Mark Magsayo and wife Frances Arbie packed their bags and boarded a plane bound for Los Angeles to fulfill their dreams.
They both knew the road to a world title shot would be rough given the dreary atmosphere and how boxing works on the world stage.
But with talent and perseverance, the Magsayos were confident that the inclusion of one or two more key ingredients would grease their path towards the realization of winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight diadem.
As soon as they settled in at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, there was one more thing to do: Hook up with Sean Gibbons and make sure they got all the Is dotted and the Ts crossed.
Gibbons runs the Manny
Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, the entity that represents nearly all the country’s world champions. The outfit likewise has a number of world title prospects under its care.
A legit boxing man, Gibbons has strong links with all the boxing bodies and during the Magsayos’ uninterrupted one-and-a-half year stay in the United States, he delivered two bouts that made him WBC 126-lb champion Gary Russell’s mandatory challenger.
The fight takes place on 22 January in Atlantic City with Magsayo bidding to open the year with a bang.
“This is the fight that I want and have been working hard to get for years,” Magsayo said as reported by boxingscene.
“I am going to come to win and to make the most of this chance. There is a reason Gary is a champion, just like there is a reason I became the mandatory challenger,” Magsayo, who has a 23-0 record with 16 knockouts.
Magsayo didn’t categorically say that he would dethrone Russell but came short of saying exactly just that.
“This is going to be a great fight for me to show the world what Filipinos are made of. I’ve had a long road to get to this position and I will be fighting in honor of everyone who helped me get there,” he added.
This coming fight almost got waylaid when Magsayo faced Mexican Julio Ceja last August.
Magsayo looked on the way out after a strong start when he got his second wind and scored a savage knockout of Ceja, whose downfall sent shivers down the spine of fans who watched it live at the T-Mobile Arena and likewise on different viewing platforms.
