Starry, starry night

Former world champion Mark Magsayo, the crown jewel of Viva Promotions, makes his much-awaited ring return against Andres Cortes of the United States on 12 September in Las Vegas where American pride Ryan Garcia and British bad boy Conor Benn are clashing for the world welterweight crown.

Magsayo, nicknamed “Magnifico,” brings to the T-Mobile Arena a 29-2 win-loss card with 19 knockouts.

Last April in Sin City, the Bohol-born banger stopped Feargal McCrory in his Zuffa Boxing debut, promising that he still got a lot to show.

“I waited for a night like this my whole career. I signed with Zuffa to be on the biggest shows,” Magsayo said. “Andres Cortes called me out, and I answered. He won’t have his ‘0’ after I get done with him.”

Cortes, unbeaten with a 25-0 mark with 13 knockouts, has vowed to mess up the Filipino’s party plans.

“This is my opportunity to show the world what I can do. I’m going to destroy Mark Magsayo on September 12,” Cortes said. “Growing up in the gyms in Las Vegas, I dreamed of fighting on a platform like this in front of my people. The time has come.”

Magsayo, 31, who has been living in the United States since the pandemic with wife Frances, is one of the Philippines’ brightest prospects for a world title.

He became the first Filipino talent of Zuffa Boxing when he signed up with the Dana White-owned outfit with American dealmaker Sean Gibbons providing a big role.

Since losing the world title to Mexican Rey Vargas, Magsayo has racked up five straight victories en route to him becoming one of the world’s top 135-pounders today.

Meanwhile, even though his next fight — the fourth defense of his International Boxing Federation minimumweight title is still in the works for 14 November — defending champion Pedro Taduran is reporting for training at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque.

The champion’s people, including Gibbons, are working hard to get a venue in place.

Undefeated Spaniard Brandon Moreno is being eyed to assume the role of mandatory challenger due to the unavailability of Chinese Zhu Dianxing, who is embroiled in a controversy with his manager and promoter.

In his last fight, the southpaw Taduran, the country’s lone world champion, halted Mexican Gustavo Perez Alvarez last April in California.