Mark Magsayo had his hands full but got the job done.
The featherweight contender from the Philippines defeated Rigoberto Hermosillo by a split decision in a 10-round bout Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Judge Rudy Barragan somehow scored it 100-90 for Magsayo. Lou Moret had it 96-94 for Hermosillo. And Zachary Young scored it 96-94 for Magsayo, giving him the victory.
Hermosillo (11-3-1, 8 KOs) is three inches taller than Magsayo (21-0, 14 KOs) and left-handed, which presented challenges for the Filipino.
Plus, the Mexican, a late replacement as the opponent, outworked Magsayo from beginning to end. That obviously was a factor in the scoring of Moret and Young.
Magsayo won the fight by landing the harder, more eye-catching punches. And he picked up his pace in the latter rounds.
Magsayo, who is promoted by Manny Pacquiao, is now trained by Pacquiao’s longtime mentor Freddie Roach.