AFTER a lengthy absence, Mark Magsayo finally makes his ring return on Friday, April 12. The 23-year-old Magsayo faces Indonesian Erick Deztroyer in what should be a tune-up at The Ring Boxing Community in Singapore.
Magsayo, regarded as one of the Philippines’ future stars, hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision win over tough Japanese Shota Hayashi on Nov. 25, 2017 in his hometown of Tagbilaran City after a contractual dispute with ALA Promotions.
Magsayo said both his promotional and managerial contracts with ALA Promotions, the Philippines’ leading boxing promotional company, have already expired, which led him to sign to a different promoter.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, however, disputed Magsayo’s claim and said it was just Magsayo’s managerial contract and not his promotional contract that had expired. Thus, ALA Promotions filed a breach of contract complaint with the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Magsayo has fallen out of the world rankings due to his long inactivity. He was rated as highly as No. 1 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Deztroyer has won back-to-back fights against Muhammad Shehran. He fought but lost to one-time world title challenger and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight No. 1 rated Hiroshige Osawa by unanimous decision.
Magsayo is 18-0 with 13 knockouts, while the 33-year-old Deztroyer is 12-4-1 with three knockouts. (EKA)