By Ashley Bercasio
Boxing trainer Ernel Fontanilla believes former WBC world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo will bounce back and reclaim lost glory.
The 27-year-old Magsayo swiped the WBC crown off long-time holder Gary Russell Jr. via a majority decision victory in January 22, 2022. However, he immediately lost the diadem in his first title defense last July 9, absorbing a split decision loss to Rey Vargas of Mexico at Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas.
Despite inflicting a ninth-round knockdown against the 31-year-old former WBC world super bantamweight champion, Magsayo was unable to get away with the win.
One judge scored 114-113 in favor of Magsayo but the two others had it 115-112 for Vargas.
“I think, babangon din ‘yung Magsayo kasi nakikita ko talaga ‘yung Magsayo, ang sipag mag-training, kita mo sa laban n’ya, mayroon pa talaga, kahit 15 rounds kaya pa n’ya eh,” Fontanilla, who is also handling Filipino boxing prospects Jade Bornea and Marlon Tapales, said.
The loss against Vargas was Magsayo’s first-ever career defeat in 25 fights. But Fontanilla strongly believes that the setback will just make the Bohol-native boxer a better fighter.
“Huwag lang ma-discourage, bata pa naman s’ya at alam ko magbabalik s’ya magiging world champion s’ya ulit,” Fontanilla said.
After Magsayo’s defeat, the Philippines was left with no world champion. Jerwin Ancajas (IBF super flyweight), Nonito Donaire Jr. (WBC bantamweight), Rene Cuarto (IBF minimumweight) suffered losses while John Riel Casimero was stripped of his WBO bantamweight strap after a weight reduction fiasco in England. –bny
