Mark Magsayo grabs first victory in US soil against Mexican opponent

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

All the risk was worth it.

After flying to the US with hopes of inking a fight amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo did more than that and impressed in his debut fight in US territory after edging out Mexican Rigoberto Hermosillo via split decision.

Manny Pacquiao (MP) promotions president Sean Gibbons warned his Filipino slugger of how dangerous his Mexican foe would be and it was pretty evident when Magsayo needed 10 close rounds to eke out a much-needed win.

The prized Filipino fighter started slow and needed a couple of rounds to gauge his distance against the aggressive Mexican who outpunched Magsayo 856-417.

For the punches landed, Hermosillo still prevailed over Magsayo, 181-136, but it was the quality of punches that urged two of the judges to score the fight the Filipino’s way.

Magsayo was able to hit Hermosillo with more solid and cleaner combinations and turned things around during the last three rounds where he scored more hits and controlled the ring more to close the bout on a high note.

One judge scored it 96-94 in favor of the Mexican while two scored it 100-90 to Magsayo and remained undefeated in his professional career, 21-0, with 14 coming via way of knockout.