INGLEWOOD, Ca. – Filipino Mark Magsayo survived a brutal body assault by Julio Ceja and knocked the Mexican out cold in the 10th round of an action-filled bout in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Yordenis Ugas fight Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Sunday, Manila time).
Magsayo, nicknamed “Magnifico”, threw a thunderous right straight to Ceja’s head 50 seconds into the 10th round that rendered his foe unconscious for a few minutes for an emphatic knockout win.
Another look at @markmagsayo_MMM detonating at a right hook ???? in his KO of Julio Ceja. ???? #MagsayoCeja
???? Order #PacquiaoUgas on Pay-Per-View NOW: https://t.co/WFLKMpSMCe pic.twitter.com/ViS11FhVqR— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) August 22, 2021
The 26-year-old fighter from Tagbilaran, Bohol scored a knockdown in the first round when he clipped Ceja with a hook. But the Mexican came back and relied on an effective body attack that culminated with a fight-round knockdown.
But Ceja then ceased his body-snatching efforts and allowed Magsayo to gain second wind, and the Filipino stormed back with combinations while using his footwork and strategic clinching to stymie Ceja’s offense.
Magsayo, who improved to 23-0, with 16 KOs, thus earned a crack at the WBC featherweight title currently held by American Gary Russel Jr.