April 13 — Featherweight filipino boxer Mark Magnifico Magsayo scored a fourth-round knockout against Erick Deztroyer at The Ring Boxing Community in Singapore.
The victory earned Magsayo (19-0) his 14th win by knockout. Indonesia’s Deztroyer (12-5-1, 3 KOs) was Magsayo’s first fight after a 17-month layoff.
In an interview with The Ring, Magsayo described the struggle and support he experienced leading up to his fight with Deztroyer.
“A lot of things happened when I did not fight for a year,” Magsayo told The Ring. “I learned a lot of new things not only in training but in life, I learned how to cope with these changes and I am thankful to God that there are people who are really willing to help me. It was a very hard time for me but it’s good to see the people who will stick with me in hard times.
Sitting down with Filipino boxer Mark Magsayo
I was lucky enough to meet Mark and his wife Frances Arbie on a visit to the Philipines in 2018.
Mark was kind enough to answer a few questions about the fight, what kind of break he will enjoy now that this fight is over, and what his plans are for the future.
Q: How much time did you have to prepare for the fight?
A: I have been training for a year and a half. Since my last fight, I didn’t stop training.
But specifically for this opponent, I prepared for 8 weeks.
Q: What, if anything, changed about your Training Routine after the fight date was set?
A: After the fight date was set we focused on technique.
Q: What did you know about your opponent going into the fight?
A: I know that he is a tough opponent. He is a WBC Asia featherweight champion and I trained well for him.
Q: What skills did you work on so you could defend his attacks?
A: I was prepared for him to attack and brawl because that’s his style when I looked at his videos.
But after the first round, I observed he is always backing. So we changed the game plan.
Photo Credit Frances Arbie
Q: Who was your trainer for this fight?
A: Rissan Muelas from Elorde G
Q: How much time had passed since your last fight to this one?
A: 17months
Q: Who won the first round?
A: I think I did.
Q: Did you know that you could get a knock out against him?
A: I never expected that KO because I know he is tough and I never underestimate him.
Q: Was there a moment in the fight where you felt you had control?
A: I felt I had control in the 3rd round because 1st and 2nd I got really excited to punch after not fighting so long and couldn’t get my timing right.
Q: Have you been approached yet for your next fight?
A: My manager is on it.
Q: What is the one food that you gave up for training that you can finally eat now?
A: White rice
Q: How much time will you have to relax before it is time to go back to training?
A: 1 to 2 weeks I go back to light training.
Q: Is it your goal to fight again this year?
Q: How soon would you like to be back in the ring?
A: Asap
Q: Describe the knockout round and combination the way you remember it happening.
A: He always protected his head and it is tough too.
His defense is really good so I thought to fake him on his face and give a really quick body shot.
About the Storyteller
Seth Singleton tells stories for one reason. Stories are the common thread that connect us all. In the end, everyone has a story to tell.
He is the author of This is a Language of Fists and the writing team editor at Blue Alchemy Studios and its upcoming digital strategy card game — Planet Rise.
To contact him about a writing or podcast project email sethsingleton@gmail.com
