Magsayo could avoid the same mistake as Ancajas by evolving as a fighter – analyst

WBC world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo should exhaust his time and energy in evolving as a fighter now that he is a titleholder, said veteran boxing analyst Ed Tolentino.

The 27-year-old Magsayo, 24-0 with 16 knockouts as a prizefighter, is slated to defend his title for the first time against lanky Mexican Rey Vargas on Sunday, July 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

"If his approach as a champion is he has nothing more to do then we will see no improvement. Remember, a champion's work is never done," Tolentino told Sparring Sessions LIVE.

"If he thinks that his commitment is over now that he is a champion, that is a wrong approach. Now he would face different kinds of challengers. They are all hungry and they all want the crown. He needs to learn how to adapt and he cannot have a predictable style."

According to Tolentino, it would do Magsayo good if he can evolve as a fighter. He cited former IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas as an example, who held his title for years only to lose it on his tenth defense against Fernando Martinez.

"He needs to have variety and evolve as a world champion because his opponents are scouting him, which in a way what happened to Ancajas," Tolentino said.

"He held the crown for a long time but he did not evolve, so his opponent was able to read his style. Magsayo has to be on guard."

—MGP, GMA News