Former Junior Olympian Jose Haro has pulled out of his fight with Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo and opted to retire. The surprise move came after the 33-year-old’s family asked him to reconsider and think about his future. For Magsayo, all is not lost. Sean Gibbons is believed to be looking for a replacement for the fight which has now been moved to Oct. 3.
In a video via his Facebook page, a teary-eyed Haro read the reason behind his abrupt decision to wrap up his career. At one point, his kids asked him what if he would end up like Daniel Franco. The American boxer faced Franco in June 2017, winning via knockout to win the vacant USBA Feather title. But the big story then was Franco falling into a coma which forced him to retire.
“It breaks my heart to say this, knowing I will never fight again. But I have decided I will be hanging up the gloves,” Haro said via his Facebook page.
Magsayo was unsurprisingly disappointed with the turn of events but respects the decision of Haro to retire. He understands the former Junior Olympian’s decision to listen to his family, particularly his wife who is pregnant.
“We need to respect their decision. He was thinking of his family. Haro has a lot of kids and they are still young,” Magsayo said to ABS-CBN News.
Gibbons is now looking for a replacement fighter to face the pride of Bohol. Magsayo remains undefeated and his last fight was in August of 2019 against Thai Panya Uthok. “Magnifico” won that fight via unanimous decision to cop the WBC-ABC featherweight title.
While waiting, the 25-year-old Filipino boxer intends to continue training and focus. Ironically, his wife narrated that Mark was coming off a good sparring session where he sparred for eight rounds. He was faster and more accurate, raring to go out and make his first fight for MP Promotions.
“I will just continue training while Sean Gibbons is finding a replacement. I remain focused,” Magsayo said.
As of this writing, there is no word on names that Gibbons is considering. Magsayo is unfazed by whoever he ends up fighting, having kept himself in shape even with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also in good hands with Freddie Roach guiding him and making him an even better fighter.
Magsayo’s first fight for MP Promotions is an important step in his quest to get a title shot. Gibbons believes he has what it takes but all this now remains on pause.
