Mark Magsayo (L) of the Philippines fights against Julio Ceja of Mexico during the WBA Featherweight Title Eliminator boxing match at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 21, 2021. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Down in the scorecards heading into the final round, Mark Magsayo needed a knockout to secure a win over Julio Ceja in their WBC featherweight title eliminator on Sunday.
The rising Filipino star did just that as he stopped Ceja in scintillating fashion at 2:33 mark of the 10th.
Magsayo set the tone early after sending Ceja down with a left hook but the tough Mexican turned the tide in the succeeding rounds.
Ceja even returned the favor in the fifth when he floored Magsayo in the fifth round.
“Pasok kasi siya ng pasok, nilaro ko yung laro niya kaya natumba tayo roon (He kept on going inside and I played his game that’s why I got caught that time),” said Magsayo in an interview with Playitright.tv.
Fortunately for Magsayo, he made the necessary adjustments late in the fight that paved way for the knockout.
“Naka-adjust tayo sa rounds eight, nine, 10. Nakita ko nago-groggy siya sa straight (I was able to adjust in rounds eight, nine, 10. I saw that he was feeling the impact of my straight),” said the Tagbilaran City, Bohol native.
“Nakita ko na binabantayan na lang niya ‘yung hook ko, ‘yung straight hindi na (I saw that he was wary of my hook but not with my straight). Kaya dun tumama ang straight (That’s why the straight connected).”
In leading up to the knockout, the 26-year-old Magsayo actually missed with a big hook before connecting with a straight and another right hand to seal the deal.