The WBC has ordered Mark Magsayo and Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez to begin negotiations for a junior lightweight elimination bout.
The WBC’s letter was dated March 10 and addressed to Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, which promotes Hernandez, and Tom Brown, who co-promotes Magsayo through Premier Boxing Champions’ events alongside MP Promotions.
Both sides have until April 6 to reach an agreement for the fight, which would determine the mandatory challenger for O’Shaquie Foster. Foster is in his second title reign after defeating Robson Conceicao in their rematch last November. If a deal isn’t reached by April 6, then a purse bid will be held that same day.
Magsayo’s co-promoter Sean Gibbons says negotiations are underway with PBC and Matchroom to hold the fight in June, either on a PBC or Matchroom card, somewhere in the continental United States.
“I love the matchup. I love the styles. I think it’s Julio Ceja 2.0,” said Gibbons, likening the fight to Magsayo’s come-from-behind knockout win over Ceja in 2021. “Mark Magsayo is too fast, too quick, too much power, boxes beautifully. Rocky Hernandez is a dangerous fighter, a puncher himself. I see it being a must-watch type of TV fight. It’s the type of fight that puts Mark right back on top of the game.”
Magsayo, 27-2 (18 KOs), of Tagbilaran City, Philippines, is a former WBC featherweight titleholder who won the belt from Gary Russell Jnr in 2022. He has won three straight since suffering back-to-back defeats to Rey Vargas in 2022 and Brandon Figueroa in 2023. Magsayo last fought in December, knocking out Bryan Mercado in two rounds.
“Mark has fought the toughest and hardest guys to win and lose his title – winning it against Gary Russell Jnr, defending it against the most miserable fighter to fight, Rey Vargas, then staying at 126 against Brandon Figueroa in a very close fight,” Gibbons told BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire. “Featherweight was absolutely draining him. Now, he’s come up to 130 to get a couple nice wins.”
Magsayo now lives in southern California, where he trains under Marvin Somodio out of the Wild Card Boxing Club.
Hernandez, 37-2 (32 KOs), of Mexico City, has already faced Foster once before for the WBC junior lightweight title. He was leading significantly on two of the three scorecards before being stopped in the 12th round of their fight in October 2023. Hernandez has won three straight since, including a unanimous decision over Rene Tellez Giron last month in Canada.
