The Philippines vs Mexico rivalry was on full display
Top-rated Filipino featherweight fighter Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (20-0, 14ko) is the protégé of WBA welterweight champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao. However, he had a battle on his hands with replacement southpaw fighter Rigoberto Hermosillo (11-2-1, 8ko). It is always hard to look good against a southpaw fighter, especially when they are a good boxer. Yet, this match would turn out to be a good fight.
FAST PACE FROM THE START
The first round would set the tone for the fight as both men decided this was going to be a high-octane phone booth type of match. Furthermore, as both men were landing good combination punches, it was “Magnifico” that punctuated the round with a picture-perfect counter right-hand, stopping the aggression of the Mexican fighter.
Both fighters showed they were in tremendous condition, throwing plenty of volume punches. The Filipino fighter was confusing his opponent with blazing footwork mixed with hand speed, landing counter left hooks and the straight right-hand.
However, the Mexican fighter was not going to be deterred. He continued to press forward landing hooks to the body and finding his range off the jab and landing the straight left. Despite getting countered with the left hook, he was able to have some success between the punches with the left hook to the body.
THE MIDDLE ROUNDS
These guys were not slowing down at all. The punches were being thrown like a video game. The undefeated Filipino was using the angles as if in a teleporting machine, sliding side to side, landing the right hand in three-punch combinations.
Magsayo was beginning to find that extra gear, coming forward landing the left hook then sliding out of harm’s way. He was also finding a home for the straight right-hand. However, Hermosillo continued coming forward, bringing the counter left-hand and still going to the body.
THE FINAL ROUNDS
Going into the final rounds, it was clear that the undefeated featherweight was on his game. He came out of the gate in the ninth round, started digging to the body, and fighting off the back foot while landing the counter right-hand and a short left hook that hurt his opponent. It looked as if there was a knockdown, but referee Jack Reiss ruled it a slip. Both fighters had bumped bodies, leading to Mexican fighter’s gloves touching the floor.
Hermosillo started to become too dependent on the left hand and was beginning to show signs of fatigue. However, he was still coming forward, fighting to win while landing the straight left hands that snapped back the head of the Filipino fighter a few times.
Trainer Freddy Roach must have had a sense this fight was closer than what it appeared to be to the naked eye, as he told his fighter entering the final round to attack.
Listening to his trainer, Magsayo continued to land the right hand, followed by the left uppercut. When the final bell sounded, both men had to be exhausted.
Two of the judges scored it 100-90 and 96-94 for the Magsayo. However, surprisingly one judge scored it 96-94 Hermosillo. The undefeated featherweight improves to 21-0, 14ko winning via split decision.
3kingsboxing scored it 97-93 for Magsayo.
By: Garrisson Bland
