Magsayo, Marcial spice up Vegas show

LAS VEGAS — Former world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial open up the mega slugfest taking place Saturday featuring Manny Pacquiao against Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand.

Their fights will happen just after lunchtime with Marcial the first to see action when he faces substitute Bernard Joseph in a middleweight eight-rounder.

Magsayo, who briefly held the World Boxing Council feather strap, meets Mexican Jorge Mata in a ten-rounder at super-featherweight.

A victory by the two is badly needed since they are being eyed to make the official fight show for the 50th Thrilla in Manila anniversary that will be taking place in the Philippines in October.

But Magsayo and Marcial both agree that looking too far ahead can be very dangerous.

“I have been told about the Thrilla (in Manila) but let’s just concentrate on this fight first before thinking of another fight,” the Los Angeles-based Magsayo said.

Magsayo brings to the ring a 29-2-0 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts while Mata packs a 21-2-0 ledger with 13 knockouts.

Magsayo and Mata both tipped in at 129 pounds.

While Marcial is a first-timer in a Pacquiao headliner, Magsayo is making his second appearance after a sensational showing in August 2021 against Mexican Julio Ceja, who he brutally knocked out underneath Pacquiao’s showdown with Yordenis Ugas.

Marcial, undefeated in five fights with three knockouts, has been a favorite of Pacquiao the past few weeks.

Last Tuesday during training, Pacquiao called Marcial as “my fighter.”

Marcial checked in at 162 while Joseph, from Massachusetts, was a shade under 162.