Magsayo locked and loaded for Mexican foe

LAS VEGAS — Mark Magsayo has already been promised a spot in the huge Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary celebration in October in the Philippines.

But the world title shot is going down the drain if he winds up losing to Jorge Mata of Mexico in their ten-round super-featherweight battle this Saturday at the MGM Grand.

“Yeah, that’s the plan but I am not looking at it right now because I am focused on this upcoming fight,” Magsayo, 30, said on Thursday.

“We got to take care of business first before I start thinking about that fight in the Thrilla in Manila,” said Magsayo, who is on a three-fight winning streak and sporting a 27-2-0 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts.

Magsayo said he prepared long and hard for this fight and is eager to come up with a smashing showing given that he will be fighting underneath the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios world welterweight title clash.

“I am really thankful that I will be fighting for the second time in the undercard of a Manny Pacquiao fight,” he said, noting how blessed he was when he scored a vicious knockout victory over Mexico’s Julio Ceja four years ago.

“Trained for this fight for six months so I am ready to go,” added the Los Angeles-based Magsayo, who is originally from Bohol.

Mata, who comes all the way from the fighting city of Guadalajara, likewise expressed his delight over the chance to fight in such a big card.

But Mata swears he is not content with just showing up.

“I am ready to win,” added Mata, who packs a 21-2-2 slate with 13 knockouts.

Magsayo also can’t wait to hear the sound of the bell.

“We are going toe-to-toe,” he said.

The Thrilla in Manila card will be promoted by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions that is headed by Sean Gibbons, who intends to also include world title defenses of Melvin Jerusalem and Pedro Taduran as well as appearances by heavy-handed middleweight Weljn Mindoro and Eumir Marcial.