Eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao has talked up fellow boxer Filipino Mark Magsayo, saying the 26-year-old "reminds me of myself".
'PacMan' has taken the Asian featherweight champion under his wing, having been impressed by what he has seen from his 22 professional fights so far.
Magsayo is undefeated and has held the WBC-ABC featherweight title since August 2019, when he beat Thai fighter Panya Uthok by unanimous decision.
Nicknamed 'Magnifico', he is set to fight Julio Ceja on the Manny Pacquiao vs Yordenis Ugas undercard this weekend at the T-Mobila Arena in Las Vegas.
The 42-year-old said: "He reminds me of myself, how we both struggled to come from nothing to a world-rated contender.
"I love his work ethic and desire to become a world champion and I will do everything to help promote Mark and make his dreams a reality."
Magsayo said he is "so thankful" to have a "legendary coach" in the form of renowned trainer Freddie Roach, and admitted he has become "a better fighter" since.
His countryman and idol, Pacquiao has won 12 major world titles in a glittering career and is the only person ever to do it across eight different weight divisions.
Magsayo said it had always been a dream of his to fight on a Pacquiao undercard, and he will make that idea a reality when he goes up against the Mexican Ceja in what is expected to be his toughest fight to date.
He remains confident of victory, though.
I was dreaming and praying that I would be on the undercard of a Manny Pacquiao fight. Now my dream has come true, so I've put my all into winning this fight and I will be victorious," he said.
"If I win this fight – I'm sure I'm going to win this fight – my dream is to become a world champion.
"Let's see what Ceja does. It's a great fight. Am I going to knock him out? Of course."
His opponent, unsurprisingly, is similarly bullish about his chances.
Ceja said: "When it's Mexico versus the Philippines, you know it's going to be spectacular.
"The way I see this fight is that I've been in the ring with better opponents.
"I will be stronger and more physical than Magsayo. We are going to win by knockout."
