Magsayo eyes emphatic win versus Mexican fighter

Mark Magsayo (right) CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

(UPDATE) FILIPINO pug Mark Magsayo seeks for an authoritative win against Mexican Eduardo Ramirez in their super featherweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The 10-round Magsayo-Ramirez fight is part of the Premier Boxing Champions card culminating in the main event that is Gervonta Davis versus Frank Martin.

Making his second appearance in the 130-pound class, Magsayo aims for an emphatic triumph that could serve as a gateway to a title fight against World Boxing Association division champ Lamont Roach.

Magsayo is sixth in the super featherweight division rankings while Ramirez is outside the top 15.

Magsayo, who turns 29 on the 22nd, sports a 25-2 (17 KOs) win-loss record while the 31-year-old Ramirez holds a 28-3-3 (13 KOs) win-loss-draw slate.

A featherweight fighter since turning professional in 2013, Magsayo moved up to the super class after losing his 126-pound belt to Rey Vargas and absorbing another defeat to Brandon Figueroa.

The decision to fight in a heavier class has proven to be magnificent for "Magnifico," who knocked out Isaac Avelar in his 130-pound class debut last December.

Another stoppage win or at least a dominant victory against Ramirez would bump Magsayo up the rankings and might put him in play for that title fight against Roach.

"It is very important to me, more than every other fight. Because I have a new goal of becoming a two-time world champion, and I want to show the world that I am stronger at 130," said Magsayo in a Ring TV report.

"I've learned a lot with everything I've been through. I also learned that I matured mentally and physically, and needed to move up in weight. I want to bring my power in the ring which I do now at 130. My body is maturing, too, so I need to listen to my body."

Ramirez, a former title challenger, is not to be underestimated. The Mexican last saw action in August last year when he stopped Sebastian Diaz in the sixth round.