Filipino fighter Mark Magsayo had a hard time against Mexican Rigoberto Hermosillo.
But, Magsayo still managed to pull through and handed Hermosillo his first loss in 15 fights to retain his World Boxing Council-Association of Boxing Commissions featherweight crown Saturday evening.
The 27-year-old Magsayo has stayed unbeaten after 27 bouts after he asserted a split decision verdict over Hermosillo in their 10-round clash at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The judging of the fight, however was criticized by boxing observers after Rudy Barragan scored it, 100-90 in favor of Magsayo while Dr. Lou Moret ruled it 96-94 in favor of Hermosillo, and Zachary Young had it, 96-94, for Magsayo.
It was the Tagbilaran City-born Magsayo who established the pace of the fight, and that’s after he connected a big counter-right hander towards the end of the first round.
But Hermosillo charged back in the next round and began outpacing the Filipino who now lives in Pasig City.
Hermosillo had a cut outside of his right eyebrow heading into round two when traded heavy blows with Magsayo.
Magsayo struck and found his marks in rounds three and four, but it was Hermosillo who was still making it difficult with his counters.
In round five, Magsayo finally got the advantage over Hermosillo after the Filipino focused on his body shots.
Hermosillo who averaged more than 85 punches per round, landed hard in round seven, hitting with a left hander.
From there, Hermosillo continued landing hard blows in round eight, but with Magsayo sending harder blows in retaliation.
In the ninth, Magsayo attacked and landed a swirl of blows, and this forced Hermosillo to retreat for the first time.
Hermosillo went down the canvas, but it was ruled a slip by referee Jack Reiss.
Magsayo continued with his offense, and found his target with a left uppercut and right hand while moving in and out of Hermosillo’s range.
Both continued trading blows in the last round, with the Mexican tagging the Filipino with a right uppercut and left hand down the stretch.
This was his Magsayo’s first fight since a victory over Panya Uthok in a local card in Bohol last year.
