MANILA – Filipino boxer Mark Magsayo had to work hard for 10 rounds before pulling off a split decision triumph against Mexican Rigoberto Hermosillo at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines).
The Tagbilaran City, Bohol-native Magsayo pulled off the victory after netting a 100-90 score from judge Rudy Barragan and 96-94 from Zachary Young while Hermosillo got 96-94 from Lou Moret.
Magsayo aggressively kicked off their non-title super featherweight match with his quick punches before Hermosillo got his shots going to take a slim lead in second, third and fourth rounds.
Magsayo then connected with clean and powerful shots in the fifth rounds. Hermosillo answered back in the sixth round before both fighters engaged in tight exchanges in the seventh frame.
Magsayo worked his man anew in the eighth frame by landing shorts with regularity. The Filipino continued with his attacks in the ninth round and withstood the attack of Hermosillo.
Hermosillo gave it his all in the tenth and final round and landed well, but Magsayo got in some solid shots of his own just enough to convince the two judges.
With the victory, the 25-year-old Magsayo maintained his unblemished slate of 21-0-0 win-loss-draw ring record, including 14 stoppage wins while the 28-year-old Hermosillo saw his record dropped to 11-3-1 slate, with eight knockout wins./PN
