Rey Vargas stood tall against Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio.

The former 122-pound champion used his height and reach advantages to outbox Magsayo and take the Filipino’s 126-pound title by a split decision Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The 5-foot-10½ Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) used long, hard punches as a barrier that the 5-6 Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) found impossible to penetrate, at least with enough consistency to win the fight.

Magsayo, a hard puncher, fared somewhat better in the second half of the fight and was able to put Vargas down in Round 9. However, it wasn’t enough to win over all three judges.

Two of them had the Mexican winning 115-112, while the third scored it 114-113 for Magsayo. Boxing Junkie had it 116-111 for Vargas, nine rounds to three.

Vargas is now a two-division titleholder.

“I have no words to describe what happened here tonight,” he said through a translator. “It’s my second title. This one’s going back to Mexico.”

Magsayo was coming off a breakthrough decision over long-reigning WBC titleholder Gary Russell Jr. in January, although the fact Russell fought much of the fight with an injured shoulder left Magsayo with something to prove.

He failed to do so, largely because he couldn’t figure out a way get inside with enough regularity to do damage.

The protégé of Manny Pacquiao had his biggest moment with about 40 seconds remaining in Round 9, when he landed a straight right that put Vargas on the canvas. He wasn’t hurt badly but he seemed stunned.

Still, Magsayo didn’t – or couldn’t – attack with enough urgency in the final half minute of Round 9 and thereafter. Vargas, using his reach and intelligent movement, won the last two rounds on all three cards, which gave him the nod on the two cards that favored Vargas.

Magsayo gave Vargas credit for his victory but he didn’t appreciate one tactic he believes his opponent employed.

“He did his job in the ring, running. It’s OK,” the now-former champion said.

Vargas now has many options as a titleholder.

Brandon Figueroa stopped Carlos Castro in a WBC title eliminator on the undercard Saturday, which makes him a leading candidate to fight for the belt. However, Vargas said he’s targeting a particular fellow titleholder.

“Unification,” he said when he was asked what he wants next. “I do want [WBC beltholder] Leo Santa Cruz for my next fight.”

[lawrence-related id=31463,31461]

Rey Vargas stood tall against Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio.

The former 122-pound champion used his height and reach advantages to outbox Magsayo and take the Filipino’s 126-pound title by a split decision Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The 5-foot-10½ Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) used long, hard punches as a barrier that the 5-6 Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) found impossible to penetrate, at least with enough consistency to win the fight.

Magsayo, a hard puncher, fared somewhat better in the second half of the fight and was able to put Vargas down in Round 9. However, it wasn’t enough to win over all three judges.

Two of them had the Mexican winning 115-112, while the third scored it 114-113 for Magsayo. Boxing Junkie had it 116-111 for Vargas, nine rounds to three.

Vargas is now a two-division titleholder.

“I have no words to describe what happened here tonight,” he said through a translator. “It’s my second title. This one’s going back to Mexico.”

Magsayo was coming off a breakthrough decision over long-reigning WBC titleholder Gary Russell Jr. in January, although the fact Russell fought much of the fight with an injured shoulder left Magsayo with something to prove.

He failed to do so, largely because he couldn’t figure out a way get inside with enough regularity to do damage.

The protégé of Manny Pacquiao had his biggest moment with about 40 seconds remaining in Round 9, when he landed a straight right that put Vargas on the canvas. He wasn’t hurt badly but he seemed stunned.

Still, Magsayo didn’t – or couldn’t – attack with enough urgency in the final half minute of Round 9 and thereafter. Vargas, using his reach and intelligent movement, won the last two rounds on all three cards, which gave him the nod on the two cards that favored Vargas.

Magsayo gave Vargas credit for his victory but he didn’t appreciate one tactic he believes his opponent employed.

“He did his job in the ring, running. It’s OK,” the now-former champion said.

Vargas now has many options as a titleholder.

Brandon Figueroa stopped Carlos Castro in a WBC title eliminator on the undercard Saturday, which makes him a leading candidate to fight for the belt. However, Vargas said he’s targeting a particular fellow titleholder.

“Unification,” he said when he was asked what he wants next. “I do want [WBC beltholder] Leo Santa Cruz for my next fight.”

[lawrence-related id=31463,31461]