MARK Magsayo’s bid for a shot at the world lightweight (135 lbs.) title hit a snag after he recently lost by decision to American Andres Cortes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cortes utilized pressure and repeatedly landed right hands to disrupt Magsayo’s rhythm.
Magsayo needed some space to unload his sizzling right straight, but Cortes crowded the Filipino on the inside to disrupt his rhythm. Magsayo was forced to stay at the pocket where he was uncomfortable.
Magsayo launched last-ditch assaults at the tail-end of the fight, but he was too tired to sustain the effort.
When the smoke cleared, Cortes was awarded a unanimous decision.
He improved his record to 26-0 with 13 knockouts.
Magsayo’s record sank to 29-3 with 19 knockouts. His five-fight winning streak came to an end.
At age 31, Magsayo’s boxing career is at the crossroads.
The multi-fight contract Magsayo inked with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing guarantees three fights per year. He has fought twice this year, stopping Feargal McCrory in April and recently losing to Cortes. Based on the contract, he is expected to fight one more time before the year ends.
The deal with Zuffa Boxing, while lucrative, is contingent on Magsayo producing impressive results.
The loss to Cortes was not damaging given that he lost only on points, but Magsayo will have to come up with an eye-popping performance in his next outing.
Magsayo can still make a serious run at a world title, but he needs to fine-tune his arsenal.
Magsayo has to address his conditioning woes. Magsayo’s transition to the heavier 135-pound lightweight division appears to have exacerbated his existing conditioning problems. The impact of the extra weight was evident in the Cortes fight, where a fatigued Magsayo was even forced to take a knee to recover his wind.
From Day One, Zuffa Boxing set out to trim the “excess” fat from pro boxing. Zuffa has eliminated the “junior” or “super” divisions in favor of a centralized system: one division, one belt, and one champion.
Magsayo was fighting at junior lightweight (130 lbs.) when he received a call from Zuffa Boxing. Magsayo was supposed to figure in a WBC title eliminator match at junior lightweight in February, but he gave up the opportunity and instantly moved up to the lightweight class after signing a deal with Zuffa Boxing.
Zuffa Boxing recognizes only 8 divisions: heavyweight (200-plus pounds), cruiserweight (200 lbs.), light heavyweight (175 lbs.), middleweight (160 lbs.), welterweight (147 lbs.), lightweight (135 lbs.), featherweight (126 lbs.), featherweight (126 lbs.), and bantamweight (118 pounds).
If Magsayo decides to shed weight, he cannot go down to junior lightweight (130 lbs.) because it is not recognized by Zuffa Boxing.
Magsayo will have to go down further, all the way down to the featherweight or 126-pound class where he once reigned as WBC champ. Trimming down to featherweight means going two divisions down, but staying at lightweight means fighting bigger foes. A classic catch-22 situation.
Magsayo will also have to work on his punch mechanics.
Trainers have noticed that when Magsayo flicks his punch, it appears to emanate from his arm or shoulder. Experts opine that a powerful punch starts from the ground and rotates through the boxer’s hips and core rather than relying solely on his arms. A boxer twisting his hips and engaging his trunk transfers and multiplies that rotational energy. The arm should only act as the final delivery system, snapping straight or hooking at the very impact of the target.
Manny Pacquiao’s delivery of his punches is Exhibit A.
Magsayo will also have to address his struggles with length and range.
In July 2022, Magsayo struggled to get past the jabs of lanky Mexican Rey Vargas and as a result lost his WBC featherweight crown. Magsayo started the fight with aggressive power bursts, but Vargas took control in the middle rounds by pumping a disciplined jab. This tactical weapon neutralized Magsayo’s offense. It would serve Magsayo well if he can work on slipping punches or bobbing and weaving to get under the jab and find his way inside.
Magsayo also has to work on handling pressure fighters. In the fight with Cortes, Magsayo struggled to find space for his right straight amid the intense pressure of the American. Cortes bullied his way inside and Magsayo was forced to trade. Trying out the step-back counter may work wonders for Magsayo.
Magsayo will have to work on putting his punches together instead of relying on flashy counters or highlight-reel bombs. He can be so eager to trade, to the point of leaving himself wide-open for sharp counters and body shots.
Magsayo will have to fix the dents in his armor if he is to bounce back strong from the loss to Cortes.
