Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo Bio
Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo, known professionally as Mark Magsayo and nicknamed “Magnifico,” is a Filipino professional boxer born on June 22, 1995, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. He has competed primarily in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions since turning professional in 2013. Magsayo is best known for holding the WBC featherweight title in 2022 and has compiled a professional record of 28 wins, including 18 knockouts, and 2 losses in 30 fights.
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Mark Magsayo began boxing at the age of eight. His early exposure to the sport led to a distinguished amateur career, where he fought in approximately 200 contests and won four national championships at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) tournaments. During his amateur tenure, he was twice honored as the tournament’s Best Boxer, highlighting his early promise in the sport.
Path to Boxing
Magsayo transitioned from a successful amateur career to professional boxing in 2013. His formative years in the sport were marked by steady progress through youth titles, including the IBF Youth and WBO Youth featherweight championships. These early achievements helped him establish a foundation for competing at higher levels and gaining recognition in the professional boxing community.
Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Mark Magsayo made his professional debut on May 25, 2013, with a first-round knockout victory over Melton Sandal. Over the next two years, he built an undefeated record of 10-0 before capturing the vacant IBF Youth featherweight title by defeating Rafael Reyes via fifth-round technical knockout. He successfully defended this title and later won the WBO Youth featherweight title against Eduardo Montoya in 2016, defending it multiple times with a combination of knockouts and unanimous decisions. During this period, Magsayo demonstrated his orthodox stance and a reach of 171 cm, which contributed to his effective fighting style.
WBC Featherweight Breakthrough (2018–2022)
After a 17-month hiatus, Magsayo returned to the ring in 2019 with a knockout win over Erick Deztroyer. He then claimed the WBC-ABC featherweight title by unanimous decision against Panya Uthok. His breakthrough came in 2021 when he defeated Julio Ceja by a tenth-round knockout in a WBC featherweight title eliminator, a victory that earned him the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award. This win set the stage for his title shot against Gary Russell Jr.
WBC Featherweight Champion Era (2022–Present)
On January 22, 2022, Mark Magsayo captured the WBC featherweight title by defeating Gary Russell Jr. via majority decision, ending Russell’s seven-year reign. The fight, held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was a significant milestone in Magsayo’s career, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion. Since winning the title, Magsayo has continued to compete actively, including a unanimous decision victory over Eduardo Ramirez in a WBC super featherweight title eliminator in June 2024. He is scheduled to face Jorge Mata Cuellar in a super featherweight bout in July 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mark Magsayo fights with an orthodox stance and is known for his aggressive yet tactical approach in the ring. His reach and height advantage in the featherweight division allow him to control distance effectively. Magsayo combines power with precision, as evidenced by his high knockout ratio, and adapts his strategy to exploit opponents’ weaknesses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Magsayo’s career include his knockout victory over Julio Ceja, which was recognized as the Knockout of the Year in 2021, and his upset win over Gary Russell Jr. to claim the WBC featherweight title in 2022. These milestones highlight his rise in the boxing world and his status as a prominent Filipino boxing champion.
Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo Career Wins
Mark Magsayo has amassed 28 professional wins out of 30 fights, with 18 victories coming by way of knockout. His record reflects consistent success across youth and world title bouts, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest levels of boxing.
Featherweight Highlights
Magsayo’s first significant title win was the IBF Youth featherweight championship, followed by multiple defenses of the WBO Youth featherweight title. His crowning achievement came in 2022 when he won the WBC featherweight championship. His knockout of Julio Ceja in 2021 and subsequent title win over Gary Russell Jr. are standout moments in his featherweight career.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his world title fights, Magsayo has secured regional titles such as the WBC-ABC featherweight championship and has maintained a strong winning record in non-title bouts, demonstrating his consistency and competitiveness in the sport.
Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Mark Magsayo’s family background and lineage are not publicly documented.
Personal Life
Public information regarding Magsayo’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not available.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Mark Magsayo remains an active competitor in the super featherweight division. Following his unanimous decision win over Eduardo Ramirez in June 2024, he is scheduled to face Jorge Mata Cuellar in July 2025 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This bout represents a critical opportunity for Magsayo to further establish himself in the super featherweight class and contend for additional titles. His ongoing career momentum and experience as a former WBC featherweight champion position him as a notable contender in the division.