Unbeaten Mark Magsayo of Tacloban, Leyte appeared headed for a big stellar international fight, but the big-punching talent got seriously stalled following his 18th straight win.
Magsayo, a colorful and powerful warrior, has been caught in a bitter dispute with his discoverer and original patron, ALA Boxing.
The issue has practically dumped Magsayo in a freezer.
Writes the reliable veteran sports columnist Joaquin Henson: “WBC No. 1 featherweight Mark Magsayo has not fought for over a year and his inactivity has resulted in the WBO dropping him from No. 1 to No. 8.”
If he continues to be idle, Henson says it’s likely the WBC itself would take Magsayo out of the No. 1 ranking.
Magsayo is the mandatory challenger to WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr.
Russel, 30, is 29-1, with 19 KOs.
Magsayo, 24, is 18-0, with 13 KOs.
There promises to be a compelling clash—if Magsayo could wiggle out of the deep contractual hole he has fallen into.
Magsayo claims his original five-year contract with ALA Boxing expired last May.
ALA Boxing denied the claim, insisting the contract was renewed for another five years.
The bitter dispute has reached the courts.
There was a big effort to solve the mess, but the man most capable of providing a solution, Games and Amusements Board Chair Abraham Mitra, has all but given up.
“I tried to intervene at the start, they didn’t want to reconsider. It’s a pity, sayang,” Mitra said.
Mitra has promised to try again, but chances of reconciliation grow dimmer by the day.
Magsayo, who has since signed up with American manager Cameron Dunkin, has reportedly refused to communicate with ALA Boxing.
It was reported that Magsayo, who went to the United States to train, had been booked for a big bout in Mexico, but the opponent pulled out.
Another report said there was no pullout, as the Mexican opponent begged off due to the court case involving Masayo.
Writer Henson said that the hugely promising Magsayo has remained in limbo.
There must be a solution. Somebody out there please help Magsayo out of the freezer.