LAS VEGAS - Mark Magsayo tries to move closer to another shot at a world title, as he battles Jorge Mata Cuellar in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios World Boxing Council welterweight championship bout.
READ: Pacquiao says becoming champ again at 46 his biggest motivation
The Magsayo-Cuellar bout is set for 10 rounds at junior lightweight in another rivalry showdown between the Philippines and Mexico.
Ranked No. 2 by the WBC, a Magsayo win will have the Filipino coming a step closer at earning another crack at becoming a world champion, according to his handler MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons.
“If Mark Magsayo is victorious, he will be fighting for the WBC final eliminator, so this is a big moment,” said Gibbons during the presser for all the undercard fights of the Pacquiao-Barrios title match on Friday (Manila time) at the MGM Grand.
“If Mark is to win, he needs to win it in good fashion, and he’ll get himself on the verge of a world title.”
Given he wins over Cuellar and retains his No. 2 ranking, the 30-year-old native of Tagbilaran City, Bohol will be facing No. 3 rated Michael Magnesi of Italy, with the winner there then challenging reigning WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster.
The 31-year-old Foster is in negotiations for a title defense against Stephen Fulton, although no concrete agreement has been reached.
Magsayo's eyes on the prize in front of him
At the moment, Magsayo, who once reigned as WBC featherweight title holder, would rather not go far ahead with the story.
“For now we’re focusing on the fight (against Cuellar). This is our stepping stone to a world title fight, so we’re going to give him a good fight,” said the Filipino, owner of a 27-2 record with 18 KOs.
The 24-year-old Mata Cuellar (21-2, 13 KOs) has other things in mind, too.
“It’s going to be a good opportunity for sure. I prepared (for the fight) like never before,” said the Mexican, winner of his last five fights.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
