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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 09: Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley Jr. by unanimous decision in their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 09: Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley Jr. by unanimous decision in their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Manny Pacquiao appears geared up for the upcoming featherweight title clash between Mark Magsayo and Gary Allen Russell Jr, scheduled for January 22 at the Borgata Hotel Casino in the USA. Russel Jr. will put his WBC strap on the line against an undefeated Magsayo, citing an intriguing collision between both men.
Relying on his 23-0 record, Magsayo seems confident about bagging the gold. However, an additional pep talk from Manny Pacquiao may have doubled his will to win.
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Representing the Philippines, several people see Magsayo as the successor to Pacquiao’s pugilistic achievements. That said, Manny Pacquiao didn’t forget to inspire the 26-year-old ahead of his career-defining clash.
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However, the upstart cannot take Gary Allen Russell Jr. lightly. 31-1 as a professional, ‘Mr.’ Gary Allen Russell Jr. has rebounded brilliantly since his loss to Vasyl Lomachenko in 2014. He is now one of the top kingpins at 130 lbs and has held the WBC belt since 2015.
Several A-listers have tried to snatch the strap from him, including Joseph Diaz Jr. While Mark Magsayo has earned the shot next, he will look to attain something which Pac-Man couldn’t in his entire career.
Can Mark Magsayo do what Manny Pacquiao couldn’t?
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Boxing’s eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, has never touched the WBC featherweight strap. He fought Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBA and IBF 130 lbs belt in 2004, which ended in a split draw. While it was the beginning of a heated rivalry in the sport’s history, it was also Pacquiao’s failed attempt at featherweight belts.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 09: Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley Jr. by unanimous decision in their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Almost 18 years since then, Pacquiao (42) has retired from boxing. However, he is still keen on watching how his countrymen perform. ‘Pac-Man’ is totally backing them to accomplish wonders, similar to what he did in his career.
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Do you think Magsayo can create history and win on January 22?
