Magsayo world title bid put on hold

READY FOR WAR. Mark Magsayo (left) and his opponent, ex-world title challenger Daniel Diaz of Nicaragua, face spectators during the weigh-in event of Pinoy Pride 41 yesterday at the SM City Cebu event center.
(CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

Sportsman Tony Aldeguer, patriarch of the famous ALA Stable of Cebu, was glad that young star Mark Magsayo scored another knockout in his last fight. But Aldeguer was not exactly elated about the total result of Magsayo’s last bout.

Magsayo, 17-0, 13 KOs, toppled a Nicaraguan peddled as a former world title challenger. But Aldeguer was quick to explain the quickie KO win cannot be considered part of the build-up for Magsayo’s quest for a world crown.

Aldeguer said they failed to see where Magsayo honestly stands now, no thanks to the tasteless first-round stoppage.

Explained Aldeguer: “At 22, we still find him (Magsayo) a work in progress. But although he’s ranked No. 2 featherweight by the WBO, we have no plans of rushing him to fight for a world title. It’s not in our agenda this time.”

Aldeguer said they failed to check on Magsayo’s defense.

“That’s the thing he lacks most. Defense. He was tested when he fought Chris Avalos, when he got knocked down and was hit hard several times because of his habit of bringing his hands down when throwing wild punches.”

Aldeguer said they’ve worked on that soft area of the Magsayo armory. He was however quick to add they failed to make a total check on Magsayo’s toughness.

What went wrong in Magsayo’s last fight?

“He didn’t get tested because he kept knocking them out,” Aldeguer quipped.

Aldeguer said they got a former world title challenger who has fought the best in his division in what they thought would be a tough fight.

“Again, we missed that opportunity because Magsayo knocked the veteran Diaz three times.”

Anyway, after that first-round stoppage in Cebu, questions were raised on Daniel Diaz’s exact physical capability to engage in a topnotch contest.

Columnist Al S. Mendoza rued the fact that Diaz fell the first time after getting what appeared like a paper punch—no sting, no power.

“I believe Diaz took a dive, benta ’yon,” Mendoza decried.

Fact is Diaz showed up for weigh-in ceremonies like somebody reporting straight from a convalescent home. He looked pale, famished, his handsome brown face lifeless.

For the information of Tony Aldeguer, it was also being asked if the matchmaker who brought in the ailing Diaz was the same certified hustler who had provided the assorted patsies that falsely pushed the luckless Boom Boom Bautista up the world rankings.

No immediate response required.