Kyle Lacanlale hoping Mark Magsayo’s counsel pays dividends

Featherweight Kyle Lacanlale found himself inspired by a chance meeting with former champion Mark Magsayo at a recent fitness convention in San Jose, California.

Lacanlale was involved in a corporate sponsorship at the same event where Magsayo, a Filipino junior lightweight based in Las Vegas, was promoting a business in April. The two crossed paths and hit it off, and although it was only a three-hour encounter, Lacanlale says Magsayo's kind words made a world of a difference to him.

Lacanlale, 21, is currently balancing college with a developing boxing career. He is based out of San Ramon, California, a short drive away from the venue where he will be fighting Saturday – against Rodolfo Molina in a four-round fight at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California.

“Talking with Mark reinforced a lot of the things my dad says,” Kyle, who is trained by father Lyndon Lacanlale, told BoxingScene. “He also took time with me to show me some of the tactics he uses in his fights. For him to break it down to me means a lot.”

Kyle, who turned professional last August, fought most recently in March, winning a unanimous decision. Still unsigned, he is hoping to stay active and build his record toward becoming a Filipino-American fan attraction.

For what it’s worth, Magsayo is on board.

“When I look at him, I see myself back in the day,” Magsayo told BoxingScene.

Molina, who trains in Antioch, California, may be just 0-1 as a professional, but he has trained around notable fighters such as Andy Vences and Manuel “Tino” Avila. He isn’t likely to be an easy touch for Lacanlale, who has tried to soak up any and every advantage and learning lesson from his interaction with Magsayo.

“For Mark to even share this with me inspires me to be greater and is motivating,” Lacanlale said. “I want to always be open to learning and hope to show some of what he shared in my upcoming fight.”

Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at .