Mark Magsayo, who is fighting in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios, flexes his muscles during the weigh-in on Saturday at MGM Grand Arena.–Photo from Mark Magsayo’s Instagram
For more Pacquiao vs Barrios stories: The Pacquiao Files
LAS VEGAS–As Manny Pacquiao goes for history in Saturday’s headliner, Mark Magsayo and Eumir Marcial resume their world title bids in the undercard at MGM Grand Arena here.
Magsayo, a former world champion, faces Mexico’s Jorge Mata Cuellar in a 10-round super featherweight clash.
READ: Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: where to watch on TV, streaming
A win by Magsayo, heavily favored in the bout, seals his world title shot targeted for before year’s end.
“Sir Sean (Gibbons) is already preparing me to fight for a world title so I need to win this fight badly and do it in impressive fashion,” said Magsayo (27-2, 18KOs), who once held the WBC featherweight crown in 2022 after an upset win over Gary Russell Jr.
“This is my stepping stone to a world title fight.”
The 30-year-old Magsayo feels he’s entering his prime and is ready to show that against Cuellar (21-2-2, 13KOs).
READ: Mark Magsayo wary of complacency with title shot on horizon
“I trained hard and I’m ready to go 10 rounds. But if I get the opportunity to knock him out, I will go for it and not waste that chance,” said Magsayo, who tipped the scales at 129 pounds same as Cuellar.
Like Magsayo, Marcial is tipped to win against his American foe Bernard Joseph in the non-televised curtain raiser of a stacked Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card.
Marcial and Joseph, a replacement opponent, figure in an eight-round bout at a 163-pound catchweight.
READ: Eumir Marcial focused on pro career, not Olympics–for now
The 29-year-old Marcial, a two-time Olympian who won bronze at the Tokyo Games in 2021, is eyeing his sixth victory against a more experienced Joseph (11-2-1, 5KOs).
“I’m not underestimating my opponent and think that I’m just going in there and knock him out because I know he and his team also prepared hard for this fight,” said Marcial, who is not closing the door on a possible third Olympic stint.
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“He has a lot of experience. But no matter who I’m facing, I always make sure I’m ready to fight because in boxing, it only takes one punch to change the complexion of the fight.”