Magsayo, nais maging tulad ni Pacman at maging kampeon

ni Gerard Arce - @Sports | January 22, 2022

Matutupad na ang matagal ng pangarap ni Filipino featherweight title contender Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo na maging tulad ng iniidolo at boss niya na eight-division World titlist Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao laban kay WBC 126-pound champion Gary Russel Jr. bukas ng umaga (oras sa Pilipinas) sa Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa sa Atlantic City sa New Jersey sa U.S.

Sapol pagkabata ay tinitingala na nito ang retired boxer at ‘Pambansang Kamao’ nang magsimula itong magboksing sa edad na 8 maging 4-time amateur boxing champion ng Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP). Tumuntong sa pro career sa ALA Promotions noong 2013.

“Manny Pacquiao is my idol, ever since I was a kid. I started training at eight-years-old because of him to one day become world champion. Now that time is here. I’m so happy that Manny signed me to his promotional company and I’m grateful,” pahayag ni Magsayo sa final press-conference, kahapon ng umaga. “Gary is a really good fighter. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time. Now the opportunity is here, and I can’t wait for the fight. I’m not expecting any ring rust from Gary Russell.”

Kumpiyansa rin ang 26-anyos mula Tacloban, Leyte na patitikman niya ng ikalawang talo si Russel Jr. na unang beses nakatikim ng pagkabigo laban kay dating 2-time Olympic gold medalist at three-division World titlist Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko noong 2014.

“I think I’m the fighter who wants to beat him more than anyone else has. I’m here to give him his second loss on Saturday night. I can fight and I can adjust. I have speed just like Gary does. On Saturday, we’ll put our skills up against each other,” saad ni Magsayo na puspusan ang ginawang pagsasanay sa renowned at Hall of Fame trainer na si Freddie Roach at Marvin Somodio.