FORMER world champion Mark Magsayo made a rousing debut in the super-featherweight division following a devastating third round knockout of Mexican Isaac Avelar at the Infinite Reality Studios in Long Beach, California on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Filipino caught Avelar with a perfect left hook to the chin that knocked the lights out of his 26-year-old Mexican foe.
The referee did not bother to count out as the fight officially came to an end at the 1:13 mark of the third round.
MAGSAYO IMPROVES TO 25-2
Magsayo, who once reigned as WBC featherweight champion, raised his record to 25-2 with 17 KOs in his first fight at the 130-lbs division.
He lost his last two fights as a featherweight, including a split decision against Mexican Rey Vargas to yield his WBC title belt, prompting his camp led by MP President Sean Gibbons to decide moving him up in weight.
'I HOPE ISAAC IS OKAY'
Concerned with his opponent's condition, the Filipino fighter said he hopes everything is well with the 26-year-old Avelar, who was knocked out cold and nearly fell off the ring.
“I hope Isaac is okay,” Magsayo posted on X shortly after the fight on Sunday, accompanied by a praying emoji.
“I am praying for the safety of my opponent Isaac Avelar,” he added. “In the end, we are boxers and outside the ring, we are brothers. We are fighting for our families and our countries.”
Avelar saw his record fell to 17-7.
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