Filipino boxing contender Mark Magsayo announced his entry into the lightweight division and under a new promotional firm with a bang, battering a game but outmatched Feargal McCrory of Ireland Monday (Manila time) at the Meta Apex, Las Vegas.
Magsayo, a former world champion at featherweight, was simply too good and too powerful for McCrory, who had been on the receiving end of power shots throughout their match that lasted five rounds.
The end came 21 seconds into the fifth round when McCrory’s corner signaled the referee to halt the bout, to the Irish fighter’s protest as Magsayo continued to tee off.
The 30-year-old Filipino earlier rocked McCrory with a looping right hand that landed flush on the face and sent the latter to the ropes and on the verge of going down.
But McCrory, an Irishman fighting out of New York, showed nerves of steel and survived the onslaught brought by Magsayo, who had been on target practice throughout the fight.
Magsayo was able to land haymakers from the opening bell, often hitting McCrory both on the head and body.
After that battering in the fifth, McCrory’s corner warned the fighter that they’ll stop the fight if nothing changes in the Irishman’s posture.
And that’s what exactly happened.
“Kudos to my opponent, he’s a good fighter,” Magsayo said on the ring afterwards, praising McCrory, who was against the stoppage.
He underscored his high level of comfort going up to the 135-lb division, as evidence by his decimation of McCrory.
“Big difference. I’ve had a great training camp. I’m strong. This is my prime,” added Magsayo, who saw action for the first time under Zuffa Boxing, a promotional company founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship boss Dana White.
Magsayo then warned other lightweight contenders and champions that he’s coming for them.
“There are many great fighters at lightweight, but I’m the best.”
The US-based Magsayo improved to 29-2 (with 18 knockouts), while McCrory fell to 17-2 (with nine KOs).
