HAYASHI: WIN OR BUST IN BOHOL
Hayashi in a must-win situation against Mark Magsayo to stay in boxing; if he loses, he will retire
It’s win or bust this Saturday night for Japanese pug Shota Hayashi.
A win against World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 2 rated featherweight Mark Magsayo at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, should move him closer to a world title shot. A loss, on the other hand, should be the end of his 12-year boxing career.
“I’ll try to knock him out, that’s the plan. That’s why we came here. If I lose, I will retire,” said Hayashi, who turned 30 years old today.
Hayashi believes that this is a huge opportunity for him against one of the elite names of the division. He even agreed to fight outside the confines of home and in enemy territory to fight Magsayo.
“I thank the Japanese fans, Kosei Tanaka for all the support. This is a big fight for me. It’s my first fight outside Japan. It’s a dream to fight a boxer of Magsayo’s caliber,” said Hayashi, accompanied by a huge Japanese delegation including current WBO light flyweight king Kosei Tanaka.
Magsayo, a heavy favorite, is eager to showcase his wares in front of a hometown crowd in his first headliner in his hometown.
“I feel relaxed. I’m finally here. I’ll show everyone my best,” said the 22-year-old WBO International featherweight champion. “If I hit him at the right spot then it will be over quickly.”
Magsayo is very close to his dream of a world title shot. He plans to continue his impressive
I’ll try to knock him out, that’s the plan. That’s why we came here. If I lose, I will retire SHOTA HAYASHI
run and finally get his dream fight with WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez.
“He has to win this Saturday. If he wins and will see that he’s ready, then we’ll definitely negotiate for a world title fight,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
Magsayo is unbeaten 17-0 with 13 knockouts, while Hayashi is 30-6-1 with 18 knockouts.
Albert Pagara (28-1, 19 KOs) trades leathers with Tanzanian Mohammed Kambuluta (16-3, 6 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while hard-hitting Jeo Santisima (14-2, 12 KOs) slugs it out with Indonesian Kichang Kim (8-4-1, 2 KOs) in another 10-round contest in the two other featured fights.
In the undercard, Virgel Vitor (11-1, 7 KOs) Melvin Jerusalem (11-2, 7 KOs) faces off with Pedro Taduran (11-1, 8 KOs), Esneth Domingo (7-0, 4 KOs) is up against Lowell Saguisa (7-26-1, 3 KOs), former world title challenger Rocky Fuentes (35-9-2, 20 KOs) takes on Ryan Tampus (11-20, 8 KOs), Roli Gasca (23-8-1, 7 KOs) squares off with Boholano Jason Tinampay (8-6-1, 7 KOs) and Christian Bacolod (7-0, 5 KOs) is fighting Ryan Makaputin (1210-2, 4 KOs) in the show’s curtain-raiser.