Magsayo, uubusin ang lakas kontra WBC Champion Russel

ni Gerard Arce - @Sports | January 18, 2022

Tiyak na masusubukan ang tatag at tibay ni Filipino featherweight world title challenger Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo kung paano ito tatapat sa beterano at long-time WBC 126-pound champion na si Gary Russel Jr. sa Enero 22 sa Bogata Atlantic City sa New Jersey.

Matindi ang pinaghandaang preparasyon ng 26-anyos na tubong Tacloban, Leyte sa pananaliksik at paggabay ng Hall of Fame coach at trainer na si Freddie Roach sa pamosong Wild Card Gym sa Los Angeles, California sa U.S.

“I’ve had great sparring partners to prepare me for Russell and give me the same looks that he’ll give me on fight night. This is my first world title fight and I’m going to give it my all,” pahayag ni Magsayo sa nagdaang virtual press-conference. “I’m going to be the stronger fighter against Russell. We trained every day with Freddie Roach and we’ve worked on a lot of different techniques we’ll use in this fight.”

Itinalagang mandatory challenger si Magsayo (23-0, 16KOs) laban sa 33-anyos mula Washington, D.C. native na si Russel (31-1, 18KOs) matapos ang kagila-gilalas na knockout victory kontra sa dating world titlist na si Julio Ceja ng Mexico noong Agosto 21. Aminado ang dating amateur boxing champion na mabigat ang laban na ito dahil sa matagal na nitong asam na makasabak sa world title bout at masundan ang yapak ng idolo at boss na si eight-division World champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao bilang pambato ng MP Promotions sa featherweight division.

“I’m not trying to be the next Manny Pacquiao, but I’m trying to put my own mark on the history of this sport and for all Filipinos. I’m hungry to prove it all in the ring,” wika ni Magsayo.

Halos dalawang taong hindi sumasabak sa ibabaw ng boxing ring ng dating 2005 Mianyang World Championships bronze medalist na si Russel matapos madepensahan sa ika-5 pagkakataon kay Tugstsogt Nyambayar ng Mongolia sa 12-round unanimous decision noong Pebrero 8, 2020 sa Pennsylvania.