Mark Magsayo passed the test, but not with magnificent scores.
The unbeaten Filipino hope dubbed “Magnifico” went through the full route to beat Japanese Shota Hayashi by unanimous decision Saturday night to retain his World Boxing Organization international featherweight title at Bohol Wisdom School gym in Tagbilaran City.
Though he was unable to deck the former world champion, Magsayo did enough to earn the nod of the three judges by similar 116-112 scores in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 43 at his hometown.
The 22-year-old Magsayo extended his winning run to 18 with 13 knockouts and stayed on course to earning a crack at a world crown next year.
Hayashi suffered his seventh loss against 30 wins and one draw, moving him closer toward retirement.
“Prince” Albert Pagara continued his trip back to the top by stopping Tanzanian Mohammed Kambuluta in the second round of the main supporting bout.
Pagara’s third straight win since being knocked out by Mexican Cesar Juarez in 2016 raised his record to 29-1 with 19 knockouts.
Power puncher Jeo Santisima needed just one round to finish off Indonesian journeyman Kichang Kim and climb to 15-2 with 13 knockouts.