Magsayo, may tsansa sa World Title Fight vs. Russel

ni Gerard Arce - @Sports | December 28, 2021

Nabigyan ng pagkakataon si Filipino featherweight challenger Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo na makamit na ang inaasahang World title fight kontra kay WBC champion Gary Russel Jr. sa Enero 22 sa Showtime main event ng Premier Boxing Champions sa Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa sa Atlantic City, New Jersey sa U.S.

Pangungunahan ng Magsayo-Russel bout ang triple header na Showtime Championship Boxing tripleheader na katatampukan ng 12-round rematch sa pagitan ng super lightweight contenders na sina Subriel Matías at Petros Ananyan sa co-main event at featherweight Tugstsogt Nyambayar at Vic Pasillas para sa 10-round battle.

Ito na ang 6th title defense ng 33-anyos na si Russell (31-1, 18 KOs), na sinimulang mahawakan ang WBC belt sapol noong Marso 2015 nang pahintuin si dating multiple division champion Jhonny Gonzalez via 4th round TKO sa Nevada.

Patuloy itong nasa ilalim ng batikang trainer at ama na si Gary Sr. Nadepensahan ni Russel ang mga titulo kina Irish Patrick Hyland, Colombian Oscar Hendon, American Joseph Diaz, Spaniard Kiko Martinez at Mongolian Tugstsogt Nyambayar noong Pebrero 2020 via 12-round UD sa Pennsylvania. “I’m ready and I’ve been waiting to display my talents and get back in the ring,” wika ni Russell.

Matagumpay naman sa nakaraang laban ang 26-anyos na tubong Tacloban City, Leyte na si Magsayo (23-0, 16KOs) nang patulugin si Julio Ceja ng Mexico sa bisa ng 10th round knockout noong Agosto 21 sa Las Vegas para sa WBO International featherweight title.

Sinasanay si Magsayo ni Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach sa Wild Card Gym sa California.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to fight on SHOWTIME for the WBC world title,” saad naman ni Magsayo. “This is the fight that I want and have been working hard to get for years. 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. 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 here.”