Pacquiao-Ugás Undercard: Robert Guerrero Wins Via Unanimous Decision, Mark Magsayo Earns Brutal Knockout Win Over Julio Ceja

Thousands waited for Manny Pacquiao and Yordenis Ugás to take the ring Saturday night, but while they waited, welterweight Robert Guerrero and featherweight Mark Magsayo gave fans reasons to not look away from the screen.

Guerrero bested Victor Ortiz by a narrow unanimous decision in a head-to-head 10-round welterweight bout in the co-main event. Before that, Magsayo slugged former champion Julio Ceja with a two-punch combo in the undercard featherweight fight.

It was a close battle between Guerrero (37-6-1) and Ortiz (32-7-3, 25 KOs) as even their records and stat lines looked similar.

Round after round, the two continuously exchanged punches from the inside, leaning nose to nose against each other. The close combat cut Ortiz’s right eye while Guerrero’s left eye was basically swollen shut.

Still, Guerrero was the boxer who came up on top – all three judges scored it 96-94 for the 38-year-old. The win marks his fourth consecutive victory.

Before Saturday, Ortiz hadn’t fought in the ring in three and a half years. Saturday was his seventh career loss.

Prior to the co-main event, Magsayo (23-0, 16 KOs) and Ceja (32-5-1, 28 KOs) hit the ring.

Magsayo, of the Philippines, started off the bout looking strong — flooring his opponent in Round 1 with a clean left hook — but as the rounds continued it seemed he began to lose energy.

Ceja, of Mexico, took advantage of the slowed pace and landed punches to the Filipino boxer’s body, pinning him on the ropes. In Round 5, he looked to be on top as he body dropped Magsayo with a left hook.

But the beginning of the end came in Round 10.

Another look at @markmagsayo_MMM detonating at a right hook 💣 in his KO of Julio Ceja. 😳 #MagsayoCeja

💥 Order #PacquiaoUgas on Pay-Per-View NOW: https://t.co/WFLKMpSMCe pic.twitter.com/ViS11FhVqR

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) August 22, 2021

Magsayo missed a left hook but followed through with a straight right that knocked Ceja out cold, sending him slumped on the ropes. Magsayo threw another short right hand – ensuring the knockout win, leaving Ceja motionless — before the fight was officially called.

Magsayo did a back flip in celebration.

Ceja was released from a local hospital Sunday afternoon. He was kept overnight for safety precautions.