There will not be any more purse bid delays for the Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez-Mark Magsayo WBC junior lightweight title elimination bout. 

That’s only because the fight is officially tabled, pending further review. 

BoxingScene has confirmed that the above mentioned bout is currently placed on hold, as the WBC explores next steps for both boxers. The ordered eliminator has been stalled on several occasions, but an apparent eye issue endured by Mexico City’s Hernandez, 37-2 (32 KOs), has created a dispute over his availability. 

A medical review by the WBC expressed concern that he would not be cleared to fight in a timely fashion. Hernandez’s own doctor’s visit provided a far more optimistic timeline, which has left his team in search of a third opinion and a medical split decision in his favor. 

Meanwhile, the development potentially leaves current WBC 130 lbs titlist O’Shaquie Foster, 23-3 (12 KOs), in the clear beyond his current voluntary of his reign. The two-time beltholder is already making plans for a summertime title defense, rumored to come against WBC featherweight titlist Stephen Fulton, 23-1 (8 KOs), who would move up in weight. 

Foster’s first title reign began with a dramatic, 12th-round stoppage of Mexico City’s Hernandez, 37-2 (32 KOs), in their October 2023 vacant title fight in Cancun, Mexico.

Hernandez led on two of the three scorecards, to where he only had to survive the 12th and final round to have been guaranteed a split decision win. Foster rallied to score two knockdowns and force the stoppage with just 22 seconds left in the fight. 

Three wins have followed for Hernandez. In his most recent start, he dominated countryman Rene Tellez Giron in a unanimous decision victory atop a February 28 DAZN show from Gatineau, Canada.

Magsayo is a former WBC featherweight beltholder who has also won three straight. All have come since he moved up to junior lightweight.

The 29-year-old from Tagbilaran City, Philippines - now based in Las Vegas – earned an upset victory over Gary Russell Jr. in January 2022 for his lone career title win. He suffered his first defeat and the end of his reign just six months later in July 2022 points loss to then-unbeaten Rey Vargas in San Antonio, Texas. 

Magsayo was subsequently granted a shot at the interim WBC featherweight title. The opportunity ended in a March 2023 decision defeat to Brandon Figueroa. 

The bout was his last at featherweight. Magsayo’s most recent was a second-round stoppage of Bryan Mercado last December 14 in Long Beach, California. 

Hernandez-Magsayo was first ordered on March 10, with a 30-day negotiation period assigned to the final eliminator. The development stemmed from a ruling during the WBC annual convention last December in Hamburg, Germany. 

Four separate purse bid dates were assigned. Two extensions were granted, presented with the hope of working out a deal. The rescheduled April 22 hearing was canceled due to the WBC’s seven days of mourning in honor of Pope Francis’ passing. 

It was hoped that a deal would be reached in time to cancel the rescheduled April 29 session. Instead, Hernandez’s current medical issue threw a wrench into the plans of all involved parties. 

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.