Mark Magsayo is ready to face the challenge of his life. This Saturday in Atlantic City, the undefeated Filipino will go for his first world title shot. Despite the odds being 4-1 against him, he says he will not disappoint and will beat American Gary Russell Jr. to take the World Boxing Council featherweight crown in the process.
"This is my fight, my biggest fight, and I will do my best to win it and take this opportunity," Magsayo told DAZN News after Friday's weigh-in. "I'm very excited about what I'm going to experience. I have Manny Pacquiao by my side, who has been my hero since I was a little boy. My idol, thanks to him, I am in boxing, so now I dedicate this fight to my family and my idol," said the 26-year-old Filipino fighter with a record of 23-0 with 16 knockouts.
After the visit to the scales where Gary Russell had to cut 226 grams to make the limit on a second attempt, Magsayo became more confident, although he pointed out that this is not his most significant advantage.
"I'm not worried that he didn't make the weight, he made it on the second attempt, and it wasn't that much wear and tear. Where my advantage lies is in the inactivity that Gary Russell has, because while he was out for two years, I held three fights, two in the last year."
"I have to take my chances in this fight, it's the championship on the line, and my record is undefeated. It's a lot of things on the line. I have to win because this is my goal. The time has come. I'm here, in the main event, on pay-per-view, live, and that's why I'm going to give my best," he added.
Magsayo trains under American legend Freddie Roach and they have prepared a great strategy for someone with Garry Russell's characteristics.
"I'm taller than him (Gary Russell). I'm stronger than him. We have the same speed, but no matter what happens, I will give my best in the ring because I know that if I win this fight, it will change my life. Pacquiao told me to come and give everything in the ring to take the belt home," he concluded.