FORMER world champion Mark Magsayo is slated to face Mexican boxer Jorge Mata for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super-featherweight title in one of the featured undercard bouts of Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao’s much-anticipated return on July 19, 2025 (US time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Magsayo is looking for another victory in the super-featherweight division in the hopes of earning a world title shot.
Currently rated No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Magsayo is closing in on a title opportunity and cannot afford to lose this fight.
After leaving the now-defunct ALA Gym, Magsayo started his campaign in the US in 2020. He captured the WBC featherweight crown in 2022 by defeating Gary Russell Jr. Magsayo’s reign as world champion was short-lived as he lost the title later that year via split decision against Rey Vargas.
Magsayo then faced Brandon Figueroa for the interim WBC featherweight belt in 2023 but lost by
unanimous decision.
Following that loss, Magsayo decided to move up to super featherweight, where he has won three straight fights in pursuit of becoming a two-division world champion.
On the other hand, the 24-year-old Mata is riding a five-fight winning streak. His latest victory was a unanimous decision over Diego Andrade in Mexico.
Mata has only two losses in his career -- against former world title challenger Eduardo Hernandez and unbeaten prospect Jose Luis Vazquez.
Magsayo is 27-2 with 18 knockouts, while Mata is 21-2-2 with 13 knockouts.
Headlining the card is Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs), who returns to the ring to challenge WBC welterweight king Mario Barrios (29-2-1,
18 KOs).
Also featured in the undercard is Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial (5-0, 3 KOs), who will take on journeyman Alexis Gaytan (17-10, 6 KOs).
Former world champion Jerwin Anacajas (36-4-2, 24 KOs) is also scheduled to see action in the undercard along with Pacquiao’s son, Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr., who will be making his professional debut. / EKA