Mark Magsayo is looking to end the year with a bang when he takes on Bryan Mercado of Colombia in their eight-round catchweight fight at the Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California on Sunday, Dec. 15 (Manila time).

The 29-year-old pride of Tagbilaran City, Bohol is looking to use the fight as springboard to the next year when he is widely expected to land a title fight.

Magsayo, sporting a 26-2 record with 17 knockouts, is facing a relatively unknown fighter in Mercado who was only a late replacement to his supposed opponent Nicolas Polanco of the Dominican Republic.

The 30-year-old Colombian isn’t seen as a legitimate threat to Magsayo especially since Mercado dropped five of his last six fights for a 11-6-1 record and there’s no other expectation for the Filipino other than a convincing win.

Magsayo is currently ranked No.3 in the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization, No.4 in the World Boxing Association and No.5 in the International Boxing Federation in the super featherweight rankings making him in line for the potential title shot.

He is coming off convincing wins against Isaac Avelar and Eduardo Ramirez.