Magnifico survives tough test

MANILA, Philippines — Highly-touted featherweight contender Mark (Magnifico) Magsayo went through the wringer in pounding out a split 10-round decision over tough Mexican hombre Rigoberto Hermosillo at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles yesterday morning (Manila time), staying on course for a world title shot as the hard-hitting Filipino boxer staged a late rally to seal the outcome.

Hermosillo, enjoying a three-inch height advantage, was busier but Magsayo more efficient in the fight that was held without a live audience. Statistics revealed that Magsayo, 25, landed 33 percent of his punches, 136 of 417 while Hermosillo, 28, missed a lot more than he threw with a 21 percent accuracy on 181 of 856. The Mexican’s workrate was remarkable as he unleashed an average of 85.6 blows a round compared to Magsayo’s 41.7. Magsayo connected the more telling blows, including a left hook that staggered Hermosillo in the ninth round, causing him to lose his balance and touch the canvas with both hands although referee Jack Reiss ruled it a slip.

Judge Rudy Barragan of Temple City, California, had it a 100-90 shutout for Magsayo. Barragan is also a referee and last month, worked the fight where Filipino Recky Dulay was stopped by Cuban Leduan Barthelemy in the third round in Los Angeles. Judge Lou Moret of Eagle Rock, California saw it 96-94 for Hermosillo and judge Zachary Young of East L.A., 96-94 for Magsayo. Hermosillo, a southpaw, bucked a cut on the right eyebrow in the first round to open an early lead but Magsayo pulled it off by taking at least four of the last five stanzas.

Freddie Roach, working Magsayo’s corner, told the unbeaten Tagbilaran City slugger to “pick up the pace” before the ninth round, sensing it could go down to the wire. Both fighters lost steam in the homestretch but Magsayo had the stronger finish. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said it was a job well done by Magsayo. “They put on the fight of the night, tremendous amount of punches,” he said. “It was Mark’s first fight under Freddie’s tutelage. I’d like to see another fight or two. Mark proved to fight fans they want to see him back on Fox (TV).” IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, who watched the fight on TV in an L.A. hotel, said Magsayo displayed toughness and made Filipinos proud.

Ancajas’ manager/trainer Joven Jimenez, who tracked the fight with Gibbons and Ancajas on TV, said Magsayo delivered the cleaner shots and his defense was much-improved with Roach’s guidance. “Malakas si Mark, may power,” he said. “Kababalik lang niya, matagal hindi nakalaro at bago rin sila ni coach Freddie. Sana more short punches, more combinations. Matibay yung kalaban, sugod ng sugod pero dapat nabilangan sa ninth round.” The win raised Magsayo’s record to 21-0, with 14 KOs. Hermosillo lost his third straight decision to three undefeated opponents as his record fell to 11-3-1, with 8 KOs.

Roach said Magsayo has more work in the gym to do before he’s rolled out as a challenger for WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. Marvin Somodio, who joined Roach in Magsayo’s corner, said it was a “very close fight.” “Freddie told him to let his hands go,” said Somodio. “Siguro naka-apekto ang tagal na walang laban. Magandang test ito para makita kung ano pa kulang. World-class level si Mark kaya ang mga kalaban, hindi basta-basta. Dami pa niya to improve. Footwork, angles, combinations. Next camp, ma-absorb na niya mga tinuro ni Freddie.”