Boxing
Mark Magsayo, who has regained strength at a recent weight, hopes the fight with Ramirez will end with a shot at WBA champion Roach
Mark Magsayo catches his breath after a sparring session. Photo: Lucas Noonan
Marvin Somodio knew before the opening bell that there was no point in Mark Magsayo continuing to weigh 126 pounds.
The newborn Filipino coach, who first served as Magsayo’s primary replacement heading into a showdown with Brandon Figueroa in 2023, recalled that he could barely feel Magsayo’s knuckles as he warmed him up in the locker room with punch gloves. Magsayo held back with all the strength he had to fight, and after a half-hearted attempt to loosen up, he came out and lost a unanimous decision to the aggressive Mexican-American southerner.
For Magsayo, the decision to move up to 130 pounds came one fight too slow, but now Somodio believes fans will see a different Magsayo than what they have been accustomed to seeing in recent fights.
“He always has his strength, but after the weigh-in sometimes he is exhausted and lacks energy. But this time he can show his speed, endurance, strength and skills. This time he can show it and he feels comfortable, even though at 130 he is still huge and will be much better than at 126,” Somodio said.
Now Magsayo is preparing to face another southpaw, but this time he expects strength and stamina to be with him this Saturday, June 15, when he faces former title challenger Eduardo Ramirez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the Premier card Boxing Champions titled Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin. Magsayo-Ramirez will be one of three preliminary fights shown live on television PBC broadcast on YouTubestarting at 5:30 p.m. ET, prior to the Amazon Prime pay-per-view portion of the card.
Magsayo, 28, will compete at 130 pounds for the second straight year after wrestling at 126 pounds since his professional debut in 2013 at age 17. In his previous fight last December, the former WBC featherweight titleholder knocked out journeyman Isaac. Avelar in three rounds.
“I feel better, comfortable and robust. It’s easier for me to do this, especially since I’ve maintained the weight since my last fight in December. I started training the day after that fight. I feel complete when I step into the ring at 130 versus 126. I feel like I’m losing legs and strength,” said Magsayo (25-2, 17 knockouts), of Tagbilaran City, Philippines, about his weight gain.
Ramirez (28-3-3, 13 KO) is a name that has been on Magsayo’s radar for some time, which has given him enough time to prepare for the fight. Ramirez, 31, of Los Mochis, Mexico, has previously fought for a world title, losing a unanimous decision to Lee Selby for the IBF featherweight belt in 2017, and his biggest wins include decisions over Miguel Marriaga, Luis Melendez and Edivaldo Ortega. Since being knocked out in two rounds by Isaac Cruz in 2022, he has won one fight, defeating Sebastian Diaz Maldonado in six rounds in August.
“This guy is not an simple guy. He has experience and has fought against the best. He’s a former world title challenger and can give us a good fight. I think that thanks to him we can show where Mark Magsayo is, which is at the highest level,” said Somodio, who believes that Magsayo will eventually also rise in the lightweight division.
Promoter Sean Gibbons, who manages Magsayo under the MP Promotions banner, says the fight makes sense given Ramirez’s experience. He believes that Ramirez, like Magsayo, will be even better at 130 pounds, considering his only loss by KO came at 135 pounds.
“These are the type of fighters Mark should be fighting. They’re in the top ten, and so is Mark, but overall he’s the better player. “I like this style because Mark is good with southpaws, he has a attractive hook and it’s really a fight that Mark needs to be at the right level to have any hope of fighting for the WBA title against Lamont Roach,” said Gibbons.
“I’ve been training for this guy for six months, so I think that’s it [Julio] “It’s that Ceja moment again where Mark comes out and steals the evening in spectacular fashion and everyone goes ‘wow, he’s back,'” Gibbons said.
“You get very few shots that get you back on top, and this is the perfect night to do it.”
Magsayo is smiling during the training camp for the fight against Eduardo Ramirez. Photo: Lucas Noonan
Magsayo understands this too. After a tumultuous run that saw him end Gary Russell’s long WBC title reign in January 2022, then lose it in his first defense to Rey Vargas six months later and then suffer a loss to Figueroa, Magsayo now needs to impress if he is to do this he needs to be given the attention he needs as a title contender.
“This is very crucial to me, more than any other fight. Because I have a recent goal of becoming a two-time world champion and I want to show the world that I am stronger at 130 pounds,” said Magsayo, who currently lives and trains in the Los Angeles area.
“I’ve learned a lot from everything I’ve been through. I also learned that I had matured mentally and physically and needed to gain weight. I want to show my power in the ring, which I do now at 130 pounds. My body is maturing too, so I have to listen to it.”
A miniature WBA regional title will be at stake in the ten-round fight, which will likely push the winner up the rankings. Magsayo, who is currently at no. The WBA 130-pounder hopes a victory over Ramirez will put him in line to face Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs), who makes his first defense of the WBA junior lightweight title on June 28 against undefeated Irish challenger Feargal McCrory (16-0, 8 KO) in his hometown of Washington
Roach, 28, won the belt in his last fight, defeating Hector Garcia in the twelfth round and winning a split decision. Magsayo hopes to produce an eye-catching performance that will put him at the top of the list to be Roach’s next opponent.
“I’m focused on this fight because I have to show a great fight to get a chance to fight for the WBA belt. I’ve never had the WBA belt, so I’m hopeful AND get a chance at it,” Magsayo said.
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