Mark Magsayo takes prelim test vs Haro in September

Instead of heading into the finals outright, Mark Magsayo needs to pass the preliminary test first.

Given a break by MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions, Magsayo will pit his talents and wits against crafty veteran Jose “Pepito” Haro on September 23 (September 24, Manila time) at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Though the 25-year-old Magsayo will be the favorite owing to his 20-0 (14 knockouts), the 33-year-old Haro, an American of Mexican descent with a 15-1-1 (8 KOs), poses a hard puzzle.

Not really known for his power, Haro sent Daniel Franco into a coma following an eighth-round knockout in June 2017.

Franco eventually recovered but the incident affected Haro, who resumed fighting only last February when he beat Mexican Gerardo Rodriguez by unanimous decision.

Magsayo knows the task at hand could either be his passport to the world title or his ticket back to the ranks of fringe contenders.

No wonder he’s training twice daily at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood – spending strength and conditioning workouts with Justine Fortune or doing gym work with either chief trainer Freddie Roach or Filipino Marvin Somodio.

Magsayo is also sparring with bigger guys like Ukrainian Viktor Postol, Pacquiao’s former sparring partner, and Armenian Azat Hovhannisyan.

According to MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons, he wants to find out where Magsayo really stands – whether he’s ready to conquer the world or needs to hone his boxing skills further.

If Magsayo wins impressively, then Gibbons will see to it he gets the title crack in his next or third fight against World Boxing Council featherweight titlist Gary Russell Jr.

Magsayo, of course, is out to impress in his first fight under MP Promotions.

Noting Haro is a tactical fighter with good jabs, Magsayo’s main aim is to win clearly.

Then he could prepare for the final exam. – Rappler.com