Boxing: Is Mark Magsayo ready to fight for world championship? | ABS-CBN
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Boxing: Is Mark Magsayo ready to fight for world championship?
Boxing: Is Mark Magsayo ready to fight for world championship?
Dennis Gasgonia,
ABS-CBN News
Published Nov 28, 2017 09:49 PM PHT
If Mark Magsayo is serious about going after a world title, it is best for him to get a tune-up fight first, one veteran fight analyst said.
If Mark Magsayo is serious about going after a world title, it is best for him to get a tune-up fight first, one veteran fight analyst said.
The Boholano title prospect had a grueling 12-round exchange against durable Japanese veteran Shota Hayashi over the weekend and successfully defended his WBO international featherweight crown in front of his hometown in Tagbilaran City.
The Boholano title prospect had a grueling 12-round exchange against durable Japanese veteran Shota Hayashi over the weekend and successfully defended his WBO international featherweight crown in front of his hometown in Tagbilaran City.
The victory spurred talks of him being ripe for a title tiff against reigning world champion Oscar Valdez.
The victory spurred talks of him being ripe for a title tiff against reigning world champion Oscar Valdez.
Fight analyst Ed Tolentino, who called the bout at ringside, said Magsayo displayed superb conditioning on fight night and this was enough to offset Hayashi’s brutal swarming style.
Fight analyst Ed Tolentino, who called the bout at ringside, said Magsayo displayed superb conditioning on fight night and this was enough to offset Hayashi’s brutal swarming style.
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“Magsayo faced an opponent that was tougher than advertised. Hayashi offered a swarming, pressure style that could have drained Magsayo of his energy if he was not in great condition,” Tolentino said.
“Magsayo faced an opponent that was tougher than advertised. Hayashi offered a swarming, pressure style that could have drained Magsayo of his energy if he was not in great condition,” Tolentino said.
“Hayashi's limited offense, however, allowed Magsayo to outwork him. The Japanese rallied down the trenches and made it very interesting but Magsayo was able to weather the storm.”
“Hayashi's limited offense, however, allowed Magsayo to outwork him. The Japanese rallied down the trenches and made it very interesting but Magsayo was able to weather the storm.”
Tolentino said this could set him up for a title eliminator or maybe even a title fight.
Tolentino said this could set him up for a title eliminator or maybe even a title fight.
However, he thinks it would be wise for Magsayo and his handlers to test the unbeaten Filipino against a top 10 contender.
However, he thinks it would be wise for Magsayo and his handlers to test the unbeaten Filipino against a top 10 contender.
As tough as the Hayashi bout was, Tolentino said that a tune-up against a top 10 contender will get Magsayo ready for someone like Valdez.
As tough as the Hayashi bout was, Tolentino said that a tune-up against a top 10 contender will get Magsayo ready for someone like Valdez.
“Personally, I'd like to see him in a fight against a top-10 contender before Valdez,” Tolentino said.
“Personally, I'd like to see him in a fight against a top-10 contender before Valdez,” Tolentino said.
“I do believe that a top-10 contender would give Magsayo the best preparation for a title fight . . . Better than what Hayashi provided.”
“I do believe that a top-10 contender would give Magsayo the best preparation for a title fight . . . Better than what Hayashi provided.”
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
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