IT’S SAID that nothing in boxing is a sure thing.
Accidents can happen to the best of them out there.
Well, this is no simple accident, but the best boxing company this side of the globe, ALA Promotions of Cebu, has made a totally unexpected move.
ALA has humbly owned up to having wrongly proposed the young and talented Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo as the next big thing in Philippine boxing.
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Yesterday, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer issued a statement thanking Sky Sports of Britain, international, national, local media and fans in taking notice of Magsayo, who won the WBO International featherweight title in sensational but unstable fashion last week.
“Magsayo has not accomplished anything yet. He has a long way to go,” Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer stressed it was embarrassing to compare Magsayo to world boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
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Explained Aldeguer: “There will never be another Pacquiao in the next 500 years. Magsayo has so many weaknesses, he needs much work in the gym.”
Magsayo, 20, stopped veteran internationalist Chris Avalos of California, 26, in the sixth round. Fierce and relentless, Magsayo had to get up from a third-round knockdown to score the screaming stoppage.
“Avalos is definitely tough. Magsayo needed that kind of fight to see if he can go to the next level,” Aldegeur said.
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Aldeguer was firm, direct to the point.
“Magsayo’s not ready yet. He’s far from fighting for a world championship,” Aldeguer stressed.
Magsayo will be made to train under the famous Freddie Roach at Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
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Magsayo has been booked to leave with his main handler, Edmund Villamor, end of May.
Exciting and colorful, Maysayo (14-0, 11 KOs) has been called The Magnificent.
“Only time will tell what he can accomplish in the future,” Aldeguer said.
Magsayo will fight in September as part of the Philippines-versus-Mexico card in Los Angeles.