Magsayo to face former Mexican champion in Pacquiao undercard


Undefeated Filipino boxer Mark Magsayo will be facing former Mexican champion Julio Ceja in one of the three undercard fights between Manny Pacquiao and Errol Spence Jr. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Aug. 21.

Mark Magsayo (right) and Manny Pacquiao (Photo from Mark Magsayo's Twitter account)

The development was reported by ESPN's Mike Coppinger on Tuesday, July 27, confirming earlier reports of BoxingScene's Keith Idec as the two boxers lock horns in a WBC featherweight elimination match.

"Magsayo, an undefeated Filipino promoted by Pacquiao's MP Promotions, stepping way up in class against the former champ," wrote Coppinger.

Magsayo, 26, signed with MP Promotions in March last year, joining the likes of Filipino world boxing champions John Riel Casimero, the WBO welterweight champion, and Jerwin Ancajas, the IBF super flyweight titleholder.

It will be a sight to see come Aug. 21 as two Filipinos will set the boxing ring on fire, especially that Magsayo will be seeing action with his idol Pacquiao. The two are currently training at Wild Card Boxing Club

The Tagbilaran City, Bohol native won his debut fight months after signing, scoring a split decision win over Rigoberto Hermosilla in LA last October.

Magsayo, who remained undefeated in 22 matches on top of 15 knockouts, last saw action in April with a technical knockout win over American boxer Pablo Cruz in Connecticut.

The 28-year-old Ceja, who has two losses and a draw in his last three fights, holds a 32-4-1 record with 28 KOs.

A former WBC super bantamweight champion from 2015 to 2016, Ceja last saw action against Brandon Figueroa for the regular WBA super bantamweight title but settled for a draw.

The winner will move an inch closer to a crack at the belt against reigning and long-time WBC featherweight king Gary Russell Jr., who owns a 31-1 record with 18 KOs.