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A purse bid for the right to promote the WBC superfeatherweight final eliminator fight between No. 1 Eduardo (Rocky) Hernandez and No. 2 Mark Magsayo was scheduled today but has been postponed a week. The winner of the eliminator will be WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster’s next mandatory challenger.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman had advised Hernandez’ promoter Eddie Hearn and Tom Brown, representing Magsayo, in a letter that if there is no agreement during the period of free negotiations, a purse bid would be held today. But MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday he’s trying to work out a deal with the purse bid postponed for a week. “If we can’t make a deal, Tom’s prepared to promote it,” said Gibbons.
Hernandez, 27, is angling for a rematch with Foster whom he lost to on a 12th round stoppage in Cancun in 2022. The Mexican brawler led in two of the three judges scorecards when he was decked twice in the final frame, prompting referee Hector Afu to wave it off. If Hernandez had survived the round, he would’ve wrested the crown on a split decision. Since the setback, Hernandez has won three in a row, stopping Daniel Lugo in seven, defeating Tomas Mattice on a sixth round technical decision and outpointing Rene Tellez Giron in 12.
Hernandez zoomed to a 28-0 record after turning pro at 16 in 2014 then was knocked out in one round by Venezuelan Roger Gutierrez in Carson City in 2019. Gutierrez would later win the WBA superfeatherweight title. The loss to Foster was Hernandez’ second. His record is 37-2, with 32 KOs. Among his victims were Filipinos Drian Francisco, Rolando Magbanua, Rey Juntilla and Warren Manbuanag who were all dispatched in one or two rounds.
Magsayo, 29, once reigned as WBC featherweight king but yielded the throne to Rey Vargas on a split 12-round decision in his first defense in San Antonio, Texas, in 2022. He was decisioned by Brandon Figueroa in his next outing then bounced back to win three straight, the latest a second round disposal of Bryan Mercado in Long Beach, California, last December. Magsayo’s record is 27-2, with 18 KOs.
Gibbons said Magsayo is in amazing physical and mental condition, working out everyday like a madman at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in LA. “Rocky’s a tough guy, physical and strong but I like Mark’s chances,” said Gibbons. “Rocky’s a bit like (Julio) Ceja whom Mark knocked out.” Magsayo took out Ceja in the 10th round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in 2021. Gibbons said the Magsayo-Hernandez duel will likely be in June or July, possibly in Las Vegas. If Magsayo wins, the plan is to set up the battle against Foster for the WBC title on the “Thrilla In Manila” Golden Anniversary card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in October.
