Former world champion Mark Magsayo, who is being groomed for a title shot next year, battles Bryan Mercado of Mexico on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Long Beach, California.

The fight is crucial for Magsayo, who is rated No. 3 both by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization, No. 4 by the World Boxing Association and No. 5 by the International Boxing Federation.

His representative Sean Gibbons, fresh from attending the 62nd WBC convention in Hamburg, Germany, has grand plans for the hard-hitter from Bohol in 2025.

During the official weighin on Friday, Magsayo came in at 133.8 lbs while Mercado stepped in at 134.4 lbs.

A holder of a 26-2 win-loss card with 17 knockouts, Magsayo has been living in California the last few years.

Mercado, who packs a 29-1 slate with 23 knockouts, has vowed to rock the boat.

But Magsayo believes he is right on course in his bid to become a world champion anew.