My family was poor and I sold ice cream to survive. But now, I am a world champion boxer who is managed by my wife.

MARK MAGSAYO defeated poverty like Manny Pacquiao, and is now a world champion under the management of his wife.

The featherweight will return to Texas on Saturday to defend his WBC title against Rey Vargas.

Magsayo began his boxing career in 2003, when he was only eight years old.

Pacquiao had just finished his first bout with Marco Antonio Barrera, and Pacquiao inspired him to fight.

Magsayo, like PacMan was also raised in poverty. He had to work on streets of the Philippines to earn income for his family.

SunSport interviewed him and he said: "I was raised poor, because poverty."

"I helped my family with money and food. I sold ice-cream. This was my childhood.

Magsayo, a ten-year-old boy, stopped selling ice cream to concentrate on boxing. He believed it would one day make his family more money.

He had it rough growing up in Tagbilaran City.

Magsayo stated: "I started boxing, I fought 3 times and lost 3 times in my first 3 fights.

"Mark, stop boxing," my father told me. But I was too young to box and was still a child. I told myself to just keep my commitment.

"At the tender age of ten, my training is intense. I get up at a good hour to run, and then I go back to school to train.

"I am dedicated to fighting and the next fight that I won."

Magsayo won more than 200 amateur bouts before becoming a professional in 2013.

Before beating Rafael Reyes in July 2015, the Filipino won 11 victories in two years.

Five years later, Magsayo's world was forever changed when he teamed up with Freddie Roach, a legendary coach.

Roach is the Hall of Famer that led Pacquiao's rise to pound for pound supremacy.

Magsayo was therefore training at the WildCard Gym in which PacMan made his modern greatest feat.

He stated, "It was also a dream for me to train with Freddie. It was a great experience for me. It is great to have a legend coach.

"He changed my style. He corrected my mistakes. I thought that I knew boxing before I arrived here.

"But I stepped foot into the gym with coach Freddie Roach and I was not good enough!"

He taught me a lot about the art of boxing and introduced me to many new styles and techniques. He made me a better fighter and changed my style.

Roach taught Pacquiao how to mentor Magsayo.

Magsayo stated: "For the very first time that we saw each other in the Philippines, Magsayo told me to keep training. Be disciplined and train hard every day.

"That's what my father said to me. He was an inspiration in all of my fights. When I watched him train on the television, it was inspiring. I was in awe every time he won.

Magsayo was named the man to fill Pacquiao's void in September 2021 after he retired.

He said that nobody can replace the eight-division champion in boxing.

Magsayo stated: "It's very nice that they call me, The next Manny Pacquiao." For me, however, there is no Manny Pacquiao after me.

"There is only one Manny Pacquiao. For me, however, I will make my own name. It has been an honor to represent the Philippines.

"It is my country, I give them honor and I do my best to win every battle."

Roach and Pacquiao - two of the most popular duos in boxing - played an important role in Magsayo's rise.

Frances, his wife of over 30 years, is the one who deserves more credit for managing her husband's career.

Magsayo stated: "It is very important that I have a wife to help me." It's great that she organizes everything for my camp.

She is very supportive and will meet all of my needs. She organizes the entire team and contracts for my fight.

"She is my manager and does everything for me."

Magsayo, 27 years old, stunned Gary Russell Jr., 34 in January to become the world champion.

He defends his title against Mexican Vargas 31.

His idol Pacquiao was a formidable rival to Mexicans Barrera and Erik Morales, but most notably Juan Manuel Marquez.

Magsayo is now eyeing other series and has his sights set on Leo Santa Cruz (33), if Vargas loses to him. Vargas has 22 knockouts in his 35 unbeaten fights.

Magsayo stated: "He's an excellent fighter, a tough fighter, but he's never faced someone like me." He's going to be surprised by what's next.

"He is not a heavy-hitter. It's going be a great fight, I believe. We have a plan, no matter what he does."

"Now, I need to get past the Vargas test, then I want unification with champions, and then undisputed.

"I would love to fight Leo Santa Cruz. He is a Hall of Famer and a former world champion. I would love to fight him.

"They have said that if I win the fight, it will be Leo Santa Cruz."