CAN MAGSAYO HOLD ON TONIGHT?
Daniel Diaz’s trip to Cebu delayed by a day due to airline problems Magsayo won’t be complacent, says Diaz is ‘very well prepared’ Santisima, Pagara also express readiness for tonight’s event
Daniel Diaz has been through a long and tiring flight on his way here to Cebu City and though that long flight could affect his performance tonight, Mark Magsayo isn’t letting his guard down.
“I won’t take any chances because I know he is also very well prepared. I’ll just show to everybody my very best up there in the ring,” Magsayo said.
Magsayo defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) International featherweight crown against Diaz, a one-time world title challenger, in the main event of Pinoy Pride 41 - “New Generation Warriors” at the IEC Convention Center in Mabolo.
Diaz along with his manager and trainer Rosendo Alvarez missed their connecting flight from Panama to the Philippines after a problem with the airline company. Diaz and Alvarez arrived a day late in Cebu City because of it.
Despite that, Diaz and Alvarez assured that they are here to beat Magsayo.
“I was able to rest well in Panama,” said Diaz, who fought and lost to Koki Kameda for the World Boxing Association ( WBA) bantamweight belt by an 11th round stoppage in 2011. “I feel very well and I’m here to get the victory.”
“We won’t make any excuses. We’re ready to surprise Magsayo,” said Alvarez, a two-division world champion as a pro in the 90s and early 2000s.
The 33-year- old Diaz has fought some elite names in the likes of Kameda, Hugo Cazares and Roberto Marroquin, whom he beat by split decision.
“I have fought many good fighters from Mexico, Nicaragua and Japan. I’m definitely going to give a good fight. That’s my greatest desire, to get the belt for Nicaragua,” he said.
Magsayo will have a height and reach advantage against Diaz but he has already devised a plan for beating him.
“He’s tall. My plan is to go inside because I know he’ll use his length. I know I have the speed advantage,” he said.
Magsayo’s biggest test was against Chris Avalos, whom he knocked out in the sixth round last year. Diaz should be a good gauge of what level Magsayo is at right now.
The 22-year- old Magsayo is 16-0 with 12 knockouts, while Diaz is 23-7-2 with 15 knockouts.
Knockout artist Jeo Santisima (13-2, 11 KOs) slugs it out with unbeaten Tanzanian prospect Goodluck Mrema (16-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-round co-feature.
Albert Pagara (27-1, 18 KOs) locks horns with experienced Thai Aekkawee Kaewmanee (169, 6 KOs), while one-time world title challenger Melvin Jerusalem (11-1, 7 KOs) faces off with Joey Canoy (12-3-1, 6 KOs) in a couple of 10-round fights in the main card.
In the undercard, KJ Cataraja (5-0, 4 KOs) trades leathers with Lony Cadayday (4- 1- 2, 1 KO), Junrel Jimenez ( 7-1, 4 KOs) is up against Margarito Moya (9-3, 3 KOs), 18-year- old Esneth Domingo (6-0, 4 KOs) squares off with John Kenan Villaflor (6-2-3, 2 KOs). /
The officials who participated in this fight are all professional, distinguished, honest and honorable human beings FRANCISCO VALCARCEL WBO president