Undercard chance inspires Marcial, Magsayo
Eumir Marcial has been running and training alongside Manny Pacquiao at Griffith Park and Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, California for quite a while.
As his confidence grows by the day, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist has become extra motivated when former world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo began tagging along in their daily routine.
“To train with our childhood idol (Pacquiao) is already very encouraging. We got more inspired knowing that Filipino boxers like us will be in the undercard of his fight,” said Marcial in Filipino.
Magsayo slugs it out with Mexican Jorge Mata Cuellar at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a 10-rounder promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental American super featherweight title.
Pacquiao willed himself out of retirement to set up a clash with reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in the main card after Marcial and American Alexis Gaytan trade mitts in an eight-round, nontitle middleweight bout on July 19.
“It’s a very great opportunity to be part of the undercard of my childhood hero Manny Pacquiao who is the main reason why I’m into boxing right now,” said Magsayo after MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons relayed his inclusion.
“Like the first time I fought under his card as featherweight, this is also another stepping stone to my second division super featherweight world title bid,” added Magsayo. “I wouldn’t be here if not for big brother Manny.”
Magsayo knocked out Mexican Julio Ceja in the 10th round in August 2021 in Las Vegas during the first time he was showcased in the undercard of Pacquiao when the latter fought Yordenis Ugas prior to retirement.
He earned a title and defeated Gary Russel Jr. for the WBC featherweight belt in January 2022 in Atlantic City to become a world champion.
Magsayo won his last three fights capped by a second-round knockout victory over Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado in Long Beach, California, in December last year that jacked up his win-loss record to 27-2 spiked with 18 knockouts.
“Seeing him (Pacquiao) train every day still inspires me the way he did when I was a kid. He spends time with us his boxers and teaches us. I’m excited for this thrilling Philippines vs. Mexico showdown,” said Magsayo.
The 24-year-old Cuellar, however, is a legitimate threat, having won 21 of his 25 fights highlighted by 13 knockouts with two losses and a pair of draws. Former world champion Jerwin Ancajas and several other Filipino fighters have become the recipients of Pacquiao’s generosity and support to reach their dreams of becoming world champions.
