Mark Magsayo the more skilled fighter and has more power than Figueroa – analyst

Veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino is convinced that former featherweight world champion Mark Magsayo has more power and is overall a more skilled fighter than Brandon Figueroa.

Magsayo and Figueroa are scheduled to lock horns on March 4 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, for the WBC interim featherweight title. Tolentino believes Figueroa is yet to taste the power of a legitimate featherweight such as Magsayo.

“We see flashes of brilliance in Magsayo, especially in the early rounds where he is composed and strong. We see how he puts his punches together but when he fades that is when he becomes a one-punch Magsayo looking for a big punch,” Tolentino told Sparring Sessions.

“Figueroa may have confidence problems in the early rounds. Nothing has prepared him for the power of Magsayo. Magsayo has the power, he just needs to set it up. He has the skills though sometimes the puncher's mentality takes over.”

Tolentino however noted that Magsayo is known for fading later on in a fight. Against Figueroa, the respected analyst believes that it would the Filipino fighter good if he takes his time to exploit holes in his opponent’s game.

“Magsayo has to be patient, he is up against a pressure fighter Figueroa. Bide your time because there are lots of openings in Figueroa,” Tolentino quipped.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News