ALA PROMOTIONS TO FIGHT MAGSAYO’S ‘SPLIT DECISION’
After undefeated prospect Mark Magsayo announces a deal with new manager, new promoter, ALA Promotions insist it still has rights over Boholano
This could be one “split decision” that will end up in court.
After Mark Magsayo, the undefeated and world-rated featherweight, said he was signing a contract with a new promotional company, ALA Promotions reitarated that they still have a contract with the 22-year-old prospect.
Magsayo, who has been with ALA Promotions as a pro for five years, told Ryan Songalia of Ring TV that his managerial and promotional contracts with ALA promotions have expired, leaving him free to sign up with a new company.
RingTV reported that Magsayo signed with Malaysia-based manager Vikram Sivapragasam and a new promoter in Now Boxing Promotions, a promotional outfit based in Las Vegas. Magsayo said his contract expired in July 2017 and that his promotional contract with ALA Promotions ended last May 25, five years after his pro debut.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, however, disputed his claim and said that the Boholano prospect still has a live promotional contract with ALA Promotions.
“Mark Magsayo still has a live four-year contract with ALA Promotions. The contract that has expired is the managerial contract. We expect Mark to follow the promotional contract to avoid complications that could affect his boxing career. If there are other promoters interested, they need to talk to us,” Aldeguer said in his official statement to RingTV, which broke the news last Tuesday. The same statement was sent to SunStar Cebu yestderay.
Magsayo last saw action last Nov. 25 against tough Japanese Shota Hayashi in his hometown of Tagbilaran City. Since then, he has not stepped foot on a ring. He also hasn’t returned to train in the ALA Gym and is in Manila.
He hasn’t been included in ALA’s signature Pinoy Pride series.
Aldeguer said he has already talked with his lawyers on this issue. He, however, won’t comment on ALA Promotions’ next move.
“The case is with our lawyers already. In due time, they will answer questions from the media,” said Aldeguer, whose gym discovered Magsayo when he was eight years old in Bohol.
Magsayo is ranked No. 1 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), No. 2 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) as a featherweight.
If this goes to court, Magsayo could be the first fighter of ALA Promotions who will figure in a legal case about promotional and managerial rights. /