Jessie Magdaleno knows his shot at world boxing title came courtesy of hard-working father

For 17 years, Jesus Magdaleno spent 12-hour overnight shifts toiling at the Los Angeles landmark that is the original Tommy’s burger stand at the corner of Beverly and Rampart boulevards.

Magdaleno repeatedly flipped burgers on the grill, drawing daily lines of heavy traffic for the mouth-watering, chili-covered meals that have become a Southland institution.

Tommy’s allowed Jesus Magdaleno and his wife to raise their six children in Echo Park.

After first helping them play soccer, he noticed his boys’ interest in watching boxing matches featuring Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya and soon had them on a steady regimen of morning runs and afternoon fight training.

Saturday night, unbeaten super-bantamweight Jessie Magdaleno will seek to become a world champion when he meets World Boxing Organization champion Nonito Donaire on the pay-per-view broadcast of the Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas card at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

“He did it because he had us: a big family,” Jessie Magdaleno said of his father’s work at Tommy’s. “Of course, I take that with me, because [boxing] is my job now and I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps in this aspect.

“Every fight, I thank my dad for where I am, for what I have, for everything he’s put me through, because I wouldn’t be here without him. He’ll continue to be my side, and every fight, I hope to keep making things better because I’m fighting for him.”

The elder Magdaleno couldn’t attend his son’s Thursday news conference at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. He and his wife of 35 years were working. They now run a 7-11 store in Las Vegas.

But they’ll be at Saturday’s fight, and after Jessie’s older brother, Diego, twice lost his prior title shots, Jessie says he believes training in Carson alongside featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez will prove decisive.

“Our fight’s going to steal the show. I think fans are more excited about this fight than the main event,” Magdaleno said. “It’s going to be an action-packed brawl and whoever has more heart is going to be the winner.”

The Magdaleno siblings predictably give the edge to their brother.

“My father showed us how hard life really is,” said Marco Magdaleno, an unbeaten lightweight prospect. “He made us tough, showed us what needs to get done.”

While Jessie Magdaleno (23-0, 17 KOs) has heard questions about the caliber of his competition and the fact he hasn’t fought past eight rounds, he envisions winning the belt.

“I have youth, speed, power, and I’m mentally strong,” he said. “I know boxing, and I know I’m 100 percent better. Nonito relies on the left hook. Take that away, what can he possibly do? I have both hands.”

Just like his dad.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimespugmire