Magsayo enters bubble ahead of fight vs Mexican foe

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and boxer Mark Magsayo. Photo by Wendell Alinea

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino featherweight contender Mark Magsayo has entered the bubble environment ahead of his bout against Rigoberto Hermosilo in Los Angeles on Sunday (Manila time).

As per Spin.ph, MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons sent off Magsayo to LA together with IBF World super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas who arrived in the city on Thursday.

“It’s definitely going to be an acid test for him,” said Gibbons in the Spin.ph report.

“He’s fighting a tough Mexican. The guy doesn’t have a big record, but he had a lot of fights amateur-wise in Mexico. His record is very deceiving, he’s very tough, he’s a rugged southpaw.”

Magsayo (20-0, 14 knockouts) was supposed to take on Jose Haro but the latter opted out and instead retired from boxing citing personal reasons.

The 28-year-old Hermosillo (11-2-1, 8 KOs) stepped in on short notice to take on Magsayo, who will appear on his third fight in the United States and his first with MP Promotions.

The 5-foot-9 Hermosilo is one of the tallest fighters in the division, a weight class usually reserved to smaller fighters, and holds a three-inch height advantage over Magsayo.

His career, however, is on a bit of a slump after he lost his previous two fights via decision after starting on a 12-bout unbeaten streak including seven straight wins prior to his defeats.