Over at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo is neck-deep in preparations for what could be the biggest fight of his colorful career.
Though he is not officially listed as the opponent, the Los Angeles-based Bohol banger has been singled out as a potential replacement to face Gervonta “Tank” Davis at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
This could happen if Lamont Roach is unable to step up.
And that’s not a remote possibility.
So, here’s the question.
Does Magsayo have a chance to upset the explosive Davis?
My answer is a resounding yes.
Magsayo, while going up in weight, should deliver his crippling power to 135 lbs.
And given Magsayo’s penchant to unload, it’s likely Davis won’t be able to withstand the fury of the Filipino’s blows.
Look at some of Magsayo’s greatest hits and you’ll understand where I am coming from.
His left hook is lethal while his right straight is a jawcracker.
But pulling it off will need more than just punching power.
Davis packs a 30-0 win-loss card with 28 knockouts.
His roster of victims includes a who’s who of the division.
In 2023, Davis bludgeoned Ryan Garcia in their high-profile showdown in Las Vegas.
Magsayo, holder of a 27-2 card with 18 knockouts, should be in peak form — the best ever — when he is called to step in for Roach.
This early, Magsayo is killing himself in training under Marvin Somodio, who is the able assistant of Hall of Fame strategist Freddie Roach (no relation to Lamont).
I must admit that Davis will be the prohibitive favorite since he is the bigger guy and the more experienced fighter.
But he should know that in the history of boxing, many of the sport’s’ biggest upsets involved Filipino fighters.
Magsayo is one fellow who could pull it off and become an instant legend once he chops Davis’ head off with either the left or the right.
If Davis has a long list of highlight reels, then he should look at Magsayo’s, too.
Remember what he did to Julio Ceja in 2021? The Mexican was already out and cold even before hitting the floor after eating his scary right hand that had probably the same force as a speeding double-decker bus slamming into a highway overpass.
If he should do that, his name will be right up there among the biggest winners ever.