Young boxing prospect Mark Magsayo will not be in a hurry to vie for a world crown should he win his upcoming fight.
The 20-year-old Magsayo (13-0, 10 knockouts) is set to battle one-time world title challenger Chris Avalos of the United States tomorrow at the Cebu City Sports Complex where a victory would help the Tagbilaran native boxer enter the world rankings.
“Kilala si Avalos kaya malaki chance na makapasok ako sa world ratings kung manalo,” said Magsayo “Pero gusto ko muna lumaban pa ng ilang fights para mag-improve skills ko at yung ratings.”
Avalos (26-4, 19 KOs) once vied for a world crown but was stopped in the fifth round by IBF superbantamweight champion Carl Frampton last February 2015 in London.
Avalos, 26, recovered from that loss by decisioning another Filipino Rey Perez only to loss via 5th round knockout to rising star Oscar Valdez of Mexico.
Avalos meantime is in no mood to get back on the winning track after that loss to Valdez.
“When it was offered to me I immediately grabbed it. I know it will be tough but I want a world title shot soon I feel this fight will get me closer to that,” said Avalos.
The Magsayo-Avalos 12-round featherweight bout will serve as one of the undercards of the main event starring Nonito Donaire, Jr. who is set to stake his WBO 122-lb crown versus Zsolt Bedak of Hungary. (Dennis Principe)