Thrilla in Manila Returns: Magsayo vs Magnesi for WBC Title Eliminator on Anniversary Night

 

In a thrilling development for boxing fans, it has been officially confirmed that Mark Magsayo will participate in the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary event this coming October 29 in Manila. Magsayo is set to face Italy’s rising star Michael "Lonewolf" Magnesi in a high-stakes WBC super featherweight final eliminator—with the prize being a title shot against current champion O’Sh­aquie Foster.

A Clash of Contenders with Big Implications

For Mark Magsayo, this bout represents a pivotal moment in his career. The former WBC featherweight champion (28-2, 18 KOs) has regained momentum after challenging losses to Rey Vargas and Brandon Figueroa. Now on a four-fight winning streak, highlighted most recently by a convincing unanimous decision over Jorge Mata in July 2025, Magsayo is firmly back in the title conversation. 

Opposite him stands Michael Magnesi, the Italian super featherweight ranked just behind Magsayo. With a record of 25-2 (13 KOs), Magnesi earned his shot by capturing the WBC Silver super featherweight title with a victory over European champion Khalil El Hadri—bouncing back from a dramatic late stoppage loss to Masanori Rikiishi.

The Stakes and the Stage

Scheduled on the historic 50th Anniversary of the Ali–Frazier “Manny Pacquiao Blow by Blow Presents Thrilla in Manila”, this matchup adds a compelling layer of legacy. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger for O’Sh­aquie Foster’s WBC title, uniting rich heritage and high competitive drama. 

The event will offer Magsayo a homecoming knockout—his last fight in the Philippines was nearly six years ago, back in August 2019 in Bohol, against Panya Uthok. This bout not only reignites his connection with local fans but positions him to add another world championship—potentially in his second weight class—to his résumé.