Photo: Zuffa Boxing/FB

By Shawn De Guzman

Mark Magsayo wasted no time making his presence felt in a new division, delivering a statement performance by stopping Irishman Feargal McCrory in five rounds during Zuffa Boxing 5 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Monday.

The former world champion looked right at home in the lightweight ranks, showcasing improved power and comfort as he broke down McCrory with crisp, calculated offense. 

A sharp four-punch combination midway through the bout signaled the beginning of the end, visibly shaking the Irish fighter.

Sensing an opening, Magsayo turned up the heat—digging a punishing left to the body before uncorking a thunderous right hook that sent McCrory reeling and struggling to stay upright.

The Filipino slugger went for the finish late in the round, but McCrory managed to hang on and beat the bell.

That proved to be only a brief reprieve.

Magsayo came out in the next round with the same intent, picking up right where he left off and catching McCrory clean on a counter, prompting the latter’s corner to finally wave it off.

With the emphatic stoppage, Magsayo improved to 29-2 with 19 knockouts, signaling his readiness to contend with the lightweight elite.

McCrory, meanwhile, dropped to 17-2, absorbing just the second defeat of his career.