Mark Magsayo said he has to prove he remains an elite fighter against Brandon Figueroa after losing his previous bout.
Mark Magsayo experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in consecutive fights last year.
The 27-year-old Filipino outpointed Gary Russell Jr. to take Russell’s WBC 126-pound title in January, his first major belt. Then he lost his title to Rey Vargas by a split decision in his first defense in July. Such is the roller coaster that his boxing.
Magsayo insists the past is in the past, though. He’s looking forward, specifically at his fight against Brandon Figueroa for the WBC’s “interim” belt Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California (Showtime).
“I won a big fight, I lost a big fight,” he told Boxing Junkie. “Now I have a big opportunity again. It’s an honor to fight for a world championship again against Figueroa. This is a great fight.”
What happened against Vargas? Magsayo got off to a slow start but rallied to make it close, including a ninth-round knockdown of Vargas. However, it wasn’t enough to win over two of the judges, both of whom had it 115-112 (eight rounds to four) for Vargas. The third scored it 114-113 for the loser.
Magsayo still believes he deserved to get the nod in that fight but he acknowledged that his reputation took a hit, which gives him added motivation.
“I’m hungrier now,” he said. “I’m coming off a loss. I need to come back stronger to prove to them that I’m an elite fighter, that I’m still a champ. I will get that belt again.”
He won’t do it with Freddie Roach in his corner. He and the Hall of Fame trainer have split after working together for five fights.
His new head trainer is countryman Marvin Somodio, who had been working with Magsayo as Roach’s assistant. One reason for the change: Fighter and trainer share the same first language, Bisaya.
“I’m really thankful for what Freddie Roach has done for me,” Magsayo said. “… I made the move because Marvin and I understand each other during the hard moments of the fight. We speak the same language.
“And he’s good at studying my opponents. I’m lucky that he has been able to do that every time I’ve fought.”
Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize “interim” as a world title but Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) could be fighting for a genuine one again soon if he can get past Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs).
The winner will be first in line to challenge Vargas for the championship. That concept sits well with the revenge-minded Magsayo, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126 or give up his title and move up in weight.
Of course, taking down Figueroa will be no easy task. The Texan is an unusually durable brawler who applies relentless pressure on his opponents, which generally wears them down. How do you counter that kind of attack? “The jab and body shots,” Magsayo said.
That’s only part of it, though. He believes he’ll win because he’s prepared.
“I’ve been in the gym since October,” he said. “I believe I’m going to win the fight because I’m working hard.”
Mark Magsayo said he has to prove he remains an elite fighter against Brandon Figueroa after losing his previous bout.
Mark Magsayo experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in consecutive fights last year.
The 27-year-old Filipino outpointed Gary Russell Jr. to take Russell’s WBC 126-pound title in January, his first major belt. Then he lost his title to Rey Vargas by a split decision in his first defense in July. Such is the roller coaster that his boxing.
Magsayo insists the past is in the past, though. He’s looking forward, specifically at his fight against Brandon Figueroa for the WBC’s “interim” belt Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California (Showtime).
“I won a big fight, I lost a big fight,” he told Boxing Junkie. “Now I have a big opportunity again. It’s an honor to fight for a world championship again against Figueroa. This is a great fight.”
What happened against Vargas? Magsayo got off to a slow start but rallied to make it close, including a ninth-round knockdown of Vargas. However, it wasn’t enough to win over two of the judges, both of whom had it 115-112 (eight rounds to four) for Vargas. The third scored it 114-113 for the loser.
Magsayo still believes he deserved to get the nod in that fight but he acknowledged that his reputation took a hit, which gives him added motivation.
“I’m hungrier now,” he said. “I’m coming off a loss. I need to come back stronger to prove to them that I’m an elite fighter, that I’m still a champ. I will get that belt again.”
He won’t do it with Freddie Roach in his corner. He and the Hall of Fame trainer have split after working together for five fights.
His new head trainer is countryman Marvin Somodio, who had been working with Magsayo as Roach’s assistant. One reason for the change: Fighter and trainer share the same first language, Bisaya.
“I’m really thankful for what Freddie Roach has done for me,” Magsayo said. “… I made the move because Marvin and I understand each other during the hard moments of the fight. We speak the same language.
“And he’s good at studying my opponents. I’m lucky that he has been able to do that every time I’ve fought.”
Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize “interim” as a world title but Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) could be fighting for a genuine one again soon if he can get past Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs).
The winner will be first in line to challenge Vargas for the championship. That concept sits well with the revenge-minded Magsayo, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126 or give up his title and move up in weight.
Of course, taking down Figueroa will be no easy task. The Texan is an unusually durable brawler who applies relentless pressure on his opponents, which generally wears them down. How do you counter that kind of attack? “The jab and body shots,” Magsayo said.
That’s only part of it, though. He believes he’ll win because he’s prepared.
“I’ve been in the gym since October,” he said. “I believe I’m going to win the fight because I’m working hard.”
Fight Week: Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo are set for a key 126-pound clash Saturday on Showtime.
FIGHT WEEK
Top-ranked featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa is scheduled to take on former titleholder Mark Magsayo on Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).
BRANDON FIGUEROA (23-1-1, 18 KOS)
VS. MARK MAGSAYO (24-1, 16 KOS)
When: Saturday, March 4
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Figueroa 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Jarret Hurd vs. Armando Resendiz, middleweights; Amilcar Vidal and Elijah Garcia, middleweights; Terrell Gausha vs. Brandyn Lynch, junior middleweights
Prediction: Figueroa KO 9
Background: Figueroa and Magsayo will fight for the right to become mandatory challenger to WBC 126-pound titleholder Rey Vargas, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126. Figueroa, ranked No. 1, bounced back from his controversial majority-decision loss to Stephen Fulton in a 122-pound title-unification bout in 2021 by knocking out Carlos Castro in his 126-pound debut last July. The fit, strong Texan is a swarming volume puncher who doesn’t allow opponents room to breathe, which typically wears them down. No. 2 Magsayo recorded his break-through victory in January of last year. That’s when he defeated Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC belt, although Russell fought with an injured shoulder. The Filipino lost his title to Vargas by a split decision in his first defense, last July. Magsayo also is a physical, offense-minded fighter, which should produce an entertaining fight.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
SATURDAY
Jay Swingler vs. Nicholai Perrett, super middleweights, super middleweights, Telford, England (DAZN)
Angel Fierro vs. Eduardo Estela, lightweights, Culiacan, Mexico (DAZN)
Fight Week: Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo are set for a key 126-pound clash Saturday on Showtime.
FIGHT WEEK
Top-ranked featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa is scheduled to take on former titleholder Mark Magsayo on Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).
BRANDON FIGUEROA (23-1-1, 18 KOS)
VS. MARK MAGSAYO (24-1, 16 KOS)
When: Saturday, March 4
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Figueroa 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Jarret Hurd vs. Armando Resendiz, middleweights; Amilcar Vidal and Elijah Garcia, middleweights; Terrell Gausha vs. Brandyn Lynch, junior middleweights
Prediction: Figueroa KO 9
Background: Figueroa and Magsayo will fight for the right to become mandatory challenger to WBC 126-pound titleholder Rey Vargas, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126. Figueroa, ranked No. 1, bounced back from his controversial majority-decision loss to Stephen Fulton in a 122-pound title-unification bout in 2021 by knocking out Carlos Castro in his 126-pound debut last July. The fit, strong Texan is a swarming volume puncher who doesn’t allow opponents room to breathe, which typically wears them down. No. 2 Magsayo recorded his break-through victory in January of last year. That’s when he defeated Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC belt, although Russell fought with an injured shoulder. The Filipino lost his title to Vargas by a split decision in his first defense, last July. Magsayo also is a physical, offense-minded fighter, which should produce an entertaining fight.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
SATURDAY
Jay Swingler vs. Nicholai Perrett, super middleweights, super middleweights, Telford, England (DAZN)
Angel Fierro vs. Eduardo Estela, lightweights, Culiacan, Mexico (DAZN)
Boxing is heating up. And it couldn’t happen soon enough. The sport has been stagnant the past several months as incessant talks between top fighters have generally failed to produce the fights hardcore fans are dying to see. That frustration was …
Boxing is heating up. And it couldn’t happen soon enough.
The sport has been stagnant the past several months as incessant talks between top fighters have generally failed to produce the fights hardcore fans are dying to see.
That frustration was punctuated by the inability of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. to reach a deal on a 147-pound super fight.
Well, some of the biggest names in the world are reportedly set to face legitimate tests in the coming months. Here are five fights that are coming up, with background and predictions.
DAVID BENAVIDEZ (26-0, 23 KOs) VS. CALEB PLANT (22-1, 13 KOs)
Status: Set
Date: March 25
Site: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
TV/stream: Pay-per-view
Overview: This matchup of the Nos. 2 and 3 168-pounders (after champion Canelo Alvarez) is going to be fun. They genuinely can’t stand one another, which will make the lead-up fun. And each of them brings a high level of ability and fire into the ring. Benavidez has overwhelmed opponents with underappreciated hand speed and punishing combinations that almost always result in knockouts. Plant, an excellent, athletic technician, met his match in Alvarez but bounced by to stop Anthony Dirrell with one epic punch in his most-recent fight.
Prediction: If Plant is a better boxer than Benavidez, it isn’t by much. And the latter is the bigger, stronger, harder-punching fighter. Benavidez’s all-around game will be too much for Plant. Benavidez KO 9.
BRANDON FIGUEROA (23-1-1, 18 KOs) VS. MARK MAGSAYO (24-1, 16 KOs)
Status: Reportedly set
Date: Reportedly March 4
Site: United States
Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
TV/stream: Not set
Overview: Expect a lot of punches in this battle of former titleholders. Figueroa knows only one way to fight, shift into drive and floor it, although he does it in an intelligent way. That sort of pressure almost earned him a victory over 122-pound champ Stephen Fulton in November 2021, which would’ve been a defining win for him. He moved up to 126 after that fight. Magsayo also is offense minded. And he’s particularly hungry. He made a splash by outpointing Gary Russell Jr. to win a 126-pound title only to lose it to Rey Vargas in his subsequent fight. All these ingredients should make for a fun fight to watch.
Prediction: Figueroa will be too busy, too strong and too good for the limited Magsayo. Figueroa KO 10.
NAOYA INOUE (24-0, 21 KOs) VS. STEPHEN FULTON (21-0, 8 KOs)
Status: Reportedly set
Date: End of May or early June
Site: Japan
Division: Junior featherweight (122 pounds)
TV/stream: Not set
Overview: Inoue has dazzled the boxing world over three divisions with what might be unparalleled all-around ability. Some rank the unified 118-pound titleholder No. 1 pound for pound. Fulton, a 122-pound titleholder, is an excellent boxer and fierce competitor, although his punching power is average at best. Inoue is better than Fulton but the Japanese star is stepping up in weight, which could be an equalizer in this fascinating matchup. Can Inoue, who started as a 108-pounder, hurt Fulton? That could determine the outcome.
Prediction: Inoue has already carried his power up from 108 to 118. The guess here is that he’ll take it up one more division. Inoue KO 9.
GERVONTA DAVIS (28-0, 26 KOs) VS. RYAN GARCIA (23-0, 19 KOs)
Status: Fighters have agreed to bout
Date: Reportedly April 15
Site: United States
Division: Catch weight (136 pounds)
TV/stream: Pay-per-view
Overview: It doesn’t get much better than this battle of two gifted young stars. The thing that stands out is the power of both men, who are among the biggest punchers in the sport pound-for-pound. They are also well-schooled, experienced technicians, which means we’ll witness a high level of boxing until one of them ends matters in an instant or otherwise. And, finally, they both bring massive social media followings into the promotion, which will add to the intensity to what already is a mouth-watering matchup.
Prediction: Garcia might be faster and just as powerful as Davis but “Tank” is the better all-around fighter. He will methodically set up more and more damaging blows as the fight progresses and ultimately land the big one. Davis KO 8.
Overview: The matchup would produce the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. Fury is the top heavyweight of his generation, a 6-foot-9 behemoth with polished skill and athleticism that belies his size. And he’s durable. He’s 2-0-1 against KO artist Deontay Wilder, who has stopped every other opponent he’s faced. Usyk, a boxing wizard, has made a successful transition from cruiserweight to heavyweight by outpointing a much bigger Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights. No one would dispute that these are the Nos. 1 and 2 big men at the moment.
Prediction: Usyk might be the better boxer but Fury’s own formidable ability and overwhelming size – as well as his fighting spirit – will be too much for the relatively small Ukrainian. Fury KO 10.
Boxing is heating up. And it couldn’t happen soon enough. The sport has been stagnant the past several months as incessant talks between top fighters have generally failed to produce the fights hardcore fans are dying to see. That frustration was …
Boxing is heating up. And it couldn’t happen soon enough.
The sport has been stagnant the past several months as incessant talks between top fighters have generally failed to produce the fights hardcore fans are dying to see.
That frustration was punctuated by the inability of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. to reach a deal on a 147-pound super fight.
Well, some of the biggest names in the world are reportedly set to face legitimate tests in the coming months. Here are five fights that are coming up, with background and predictions.
DAVID BENAVIDEZ (26-0, 23 KOs) VS. CALEB PLANT (22-1, 13 KOs)
Status: Set
Date: March 25
Site: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
TV/stream: Pay-per-view
Overview: This matchup of the Nos. 2 and 3 168-pounders (after champion Canelo Alvarez) is going to be fun. They genuinely can’t stand one another, which will make the lead-up fun. And each of them brings a high level of ability and fire into the ring. Benavidez has overwhelmed opponents with underappreciated hand speed and punishing combinations that almost always result in knockouts. Plant, an excellent, athletic technician, met his match in Alvarez but bounced by to stop Anthony Dirrell with one epic punch in his most-recent fight.
Prediction: If Plant is a better boxer than Benavidez, it isn’t by much. And the latter is the bigger, stronger, harder-punching fighter. Benavidez’s all-around game will be too much for Plant. Benavidez KO 9.
BRANDON FIGUEROA (23-1-1, 18 KOs) VS. MARK MAGSAYO (24-1, 16 KOs)
Status: Reportedly set
Date: Reportedly March 4
Site: United States
Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
TV/stream: Not set
Overview: Expect a lot of punches in this battle of former titleholders. Figueroa knows only one way to fight, shift into drive and floor it, although he does it in an intelligent way. That sort of pressure almost earned him a victory over 122-pound champ Stephen Fulton in November 2021, which would’ve been a defining win for him. He moved up to 126 after that fight. Magsayo also is offense minded. And he’s particularly hungry. He made a splash by outpointing Gary Russell Jr. to win a 126-pound title only to lose it to Rey Vargas in his subsequent fight. All these ingredients should make for a fun fight to watch.
Prediction: Figueroa will be too busy, too strong and too good for the limited Magsayo. Figueroa KO 10.
NAOYA INOUE (24-0, 21 KOs) VS. STEPHEN FULTON (21-0, 8 KOs)
Status: Reportedly set
Date: End of May or early June
Site: Japan
Division: Junior featherweight (122 pounds)
TV/stream: Not set
Overview: Inoue has dazzled the boxing world over three divisions with what might be unparalleled all-around ability. Some rank the unified 118-pound titleholder No. 1 pound for pound. Fulton, a 122-pound titleholder, is an excellent boxer and fierce competitor, although his punching power is average at best. Inoue is better than Fulton but the Japanese star is stepping up in weight, which could be an equalizer in this fascinating matchup. Can Inoue, who started as a 108-pounder, hurt Fulton? That could determine the outcome.
Prediction: Inoue has already carried his power up from 108 to 118. The guess here is that he’ll take it up one more division. Inoue KO 9.
GERVONTA DAVIS (28-0, 26 KOs) VS. RYAN GARCIA (23-0, 19 KOs)
Status: Fighters have agreed to bout
Date: Reportedly April 15
Site: United States
Division: Catch weight (136 pounds)
TV/stream: Pay-per-view
Overview: It doesn’t get much better than this battle of two gifted young stars. The thing that stands out is the power of both men, who are among the biggest punchers in the sport pound-for-pound. They are also well-schooled, experienced technicians, which means we’ll witness a high level of boxing until one of them ends matters in an instant or otherwise. And, finally, they both bring massive social media followings into the promotion, which will add to the intensity to what already is a mouth-watering matchup.
Prediction: Garcia might be faster and just as powerful as Davis but “Tank” is the better all-around fighter. He will methodically set up more and more damaging blows as the fight progresses and ultimately land the big one. Davis KO 8.
Overview: The matchup would produce the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. Fury is the top heavyweight of his generation, a 6-foot-9 behemoth with polished skill and athleticism that belies his size. And he’s durable. He’s 2-0-1 against KO artist Deontay Wilder, who has stopped every other opponent he’s faced. Usyk, a boxing wizard, has made a successful transition from cruiserweight to heavyweight by outpointing a much bigger Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights. No one would dispute that these are the Nos. 1 and 2 big men at the moment.
Prediction: Usyk might be the better boxer but Fury’s own formidable ability and overwhelming size – as well as his fighting spirit – will be too much for the relatively small Ukrainian. Fury KO 10.
Featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Sunday in Texas.
Featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Sunday near his home in Weslaco, Texas, according to multiple reports.
Figueroa’s blood alcohol content was measured at more than .15 percent, which is almost double the legal limit of .08 in Texas, ESPN reported.
The 25-year-old was released on a $1,000 bond, according to the outlet.
Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) is a former 122-pound titleholder who moved up to 126 for his last fight, a sixth-round technical knockout of Carlos Castro in July.
Featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Sunday in Texas.
Featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Sunday near his home in Weslaco, Texas, according to multiple reports.
Figueroa’s blood alcohol content was measured at more than .15 percent, which is almost double the legal limit of .08 in Texas, ESPN reported.
The 25-year-old was released on a $1,000 bond, according to the outlet.
Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) is a former 122-pound titleholder who moved up to 126 for his last fight, a sixth-round technical knockout of Carlos Castro in July.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Rey Vargas is going to be tough for anyone to beat. The new 126-pound titleholder, who earned his belt by outpointing Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio, has a combination of length (height and …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Rey Vargas is going to be tough for anyone to beat.
The new 126-pound titleholder, who earned his belt by outpointing Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio, has a combination of length (height and reach), ability and durability that could result in a dominating reign at featherweight.
The 5-foot-10½ Mexican didn’t give a perfect performance at the Alamodome. For example, I think it would’ve been easier for him to land his power shots if he threw more jabs. And he was hurt when he went down in Round 9, which could’ve led to disaster.
However, overall, he used his advantages effectively. He consistently landed hard power shots from long range, which, for much of the fight, served as an impenetrable barrier that left the limited Magsayo frustrated round after round.
Magsayo never gave up and rallied to some degree late in the fight – including the knockdown – but Vargas controlled the fight most of the way.
Thus, two judges gave him a well-deserved clear victory. Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland both scored the fight 115-112 (eight rounds to four) for Vargas, which reflected what happened in the ring. I had it 116-111 (nine rounds to three) for Vargas.
The third judge, Jesse Reyes, gave Magsayo the nod 114-113 (six rounds to six), which is inexplicable. He somehow had Magsayo leading after the first six rounds.
So let’s ignore Reyes’ scorecard and acknowledge what we saw: a one-sided victory by an excellent all-around fighter.
Magsayo could end up in good company. Vargas might also be too good for fellow titleholder Leo Santa Cruz (who he wants to fight next), top contender Brandon Figueroa or whomever he ends up facing in his coming fights.
Stay tuned.
BAD
Mark Magsayo (left) couldn’t figure out how to get inside on Rey Vargas. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
Magsayo turned out to be exactly what Vargas believed he was.
Vargas said in the lead up to the fight that the now-former champion was a so-so boxer who relies primarily on his legitimate punching power. That was evident on Saturday, as Magsayo could never figure out how to get inside consistently enough to win the fight.
Manny Pacquiao, Magsayo’s promoter, said his protégé’s footwork and head movement would be key for him. The problem is that Magsayo doesn’t have the foot speed to get in and out the way Pacman once did. Also, Freddie Roach, Magsayo’s trainer, told Boxing Junkie before the fight that his fighter needed work on his “movement.”
And I don’t understand why Magsayo didn’t throw more jabs, which might’ve opened the door to getting inside of Vargas’ long reach. Again, he had some success in the second half of the fight but never really solved the riddle Vargas presented.
Magsayo deserves credit for his accomplishments, particularly his victory over Gary Russell Jr. to win his title even if Russell was a one-handed fighter because of a shoulder injury.
However, he clearly has his limitations. The power is real; Vargas learned that, particularly in the ninth round. The knockdown was legit. The fact he has room to grow as a boxer also is real.
Can he improve? Obviously. He has a great trainer and he works hard. How could he not get better? And he’ll have extra motivation after his disappointing performance in his first and only title defense on Saturday.
We might not have seen the best of Magsayo.
WORSE
It had to happen.
Manny Pacquiao, 43, is scheduled to face Korean YouTuber DK Yoo (also 43) in a boxing exhibition on Dec. 10 after losing in his bid to become president of the Philippines. It will be the future Hall of Famer’s first fight since he lost his welterweight belt to Yordenis Ugas last August.
Pacquiao and Yoo reportedly will sign the contract on July 20 in Manila, after which more details will be announced.
Once again, I’m a capitalist. If there’s a demand to see Pacquiao in the ring with the experienced martial artist from Seoul or anyone else, he should be allowed to take advantage of it. He has a right to make a living, right?
I had just hoped that Pacquiao wouldn’t go down this road, where so many have traveled. Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez are just a few of the once-great fighters who have taken part in exhibitions.
Some people enjoy them for the sack of nostalgia, I presume. I, for one, don’t want to be reminded of what they’ve lost in their later years. The speed, the reflexes, the agility. Gone, gone, gone. The brain might know what to do but the body is unable to follow orders.
I want to remember them as they were, when they ruled the sport with breathtaking ability.
I was reminded of a story someone once told me, about a one-time famous major league baseball player who dated some of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood. Many years later, when he was in his 70s, one of the actresses contacted him and suggested they have a reunion. The ball player’s response? “Let’s not. Let’s hold onto a wonderful memory instead.”
That’s how I feel about these exhibitions. I’d rather hold onto wonderful memories.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) should give up on the idea of altering his style, from a relentless pressure fighter to a more measured boxer-puncher. He tried boxing against Carlos Castro (27-2, 12 KOs) in his 126-pound fight on the Vargas-Magsayo card, which allowed Castro be competitive. Once Figueroa reverted back to the beast he was when he was a titleholder at 122 he overwhelmed his opponent and stopped him in six rounds. That version of Figueroa will be a handful for any of the top featherweights, including Vargas. … Lightweight contender Frank Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) gave a solid, but imperfect performance against Jackson Marinez (19-3, 7 KOs) on the Vargas-Magsayo card. He used his speed and tight technique to outbox Marinez in the first half of the fight, allowed Marinez back into the fight by lowering his output and then finally scoring a knockout in the 10th and final round. Martin is a talented fighter. He just needs more seasoning before he faces the likes of Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia. …
You have to admire longtime heavyweight contender Derek Chisora. The 38-year-old Londoner, who has been in so many wars, seemed to be finished when he lost a wide decision in his rematch with Joseph Parker last December. That was his third consecutive loss and seventh in his last 15. How much more could he give? Quite a bit, it turns out. Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) fought his heart out to earn a split-decision victory in an entertaining rematch with 41-year-old Kubrat Pulev (29-3, 14 KOs) on Saturday at O2 Arena, his first victory since 2019. Chisora admitted afterward that, “I don’t have many left in me.” His dream opponent before he finally steps away is former champion Deontay Wilder. “Del Boy” earned that kind of opportunity with his gutsy performance on Saturday.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Rey Vargas is going to be tough for anyone to beat. The new 126-pound titleholder, who earned his belt by outpointing Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio, has a combination of length (height and …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Rey Vargas is going to be tough for anyone to beat.
The new 126-pound titleholder, who earned his belt by outpointing Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio, has a combination of length (height and reach), ability and durability that could result in a dominating reign at featherweight.
The 5-foot-10½ Mexican didn’t give a perfect performance at the Alamodome. For example, I think it would’ve been easier for him to land his power shots if he threw more jabs. And he was hurt when he went down in Round 9, which could’ve led to disaster.
However, overall, he used his advantages effectively. He consistently landed hard power shots from long range, which, for much of the fight, served as an impenetrable barrier that left the limited Magsayo frustrated round after round.
Magsayo never gave up and rallied to some degree late in the fight – including the knockdown – but Vargas controlled the fight most of the way.
Thus, two judges gave him a well-deserved clear victory. Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland both scored the fight 115-112 (eight rounds to four) for Vargas, which reflected what happened in the ring. I had it 116-111 (nine rounds to three) for Vargas.
The third judge, Jesse Reyes, gave Magsayo the nod 114-113 (six rounds to six), which is inexplicable. He somehow had Magsayo leading after the first six rounds.
So let’s ignore Reyes’ scorecard and acknowledge what we saw: a one-sided victory by an excellent all-around fighter.
Magsayo could end up in good company. Vargas might also be too good for fellow titleholder Leo Santa Cruz (who he wants to fight next), top contender Brandon Figueroa or whomever he ends up facing in his coming fights.
Stay tuned.
BAD
Mark Magsayo (left) couldn’t figure out how to get inside on Rey Vargas. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
Magsayo turned out to be exactly what Vargas believed he was.
Vargas said in the lead up to the fight that the now-former champion was a so-so boxer who relies primarily on his legitimate punching power. That was evident on Saturday, as Magsayo could never figure out how to get inside consistently enough to win the fight.
Manny Pacquiao, Magsayo’s promoter, said his protégé’s footwork and head movement would be key for him. The problem is that Magsayo doesn’t have the foot speed to get in and out the way Pacman once did. Also, Freddie Roach, Magsayo’s trainer, told Boxing Junkie before the fight that his fighter needed work on his “movement.”
And I don’t understand why Magsayo didn’t throw more jabs, which might’ve opened the door to getting inside of Vargas’ long reach. Again, he had some success in the second half of the fight but never really solved the riddle Vargas presented.
Magsayo deserves credit for his accomplishments, particularly his victory over Gary Russell Jr. to win his title even if Russell was a one-handed fighter because of a shoulder injury.
However, he clearly has his limitations. The power is real; Vargas learned that, particularly in the ninth round. The knockdown was legit. The fact he has room to grow as a boxer also is real.
Can he improve? Obviously. He has a great trainer and he works hard. How could he not get better? And he’ll have extra motivation after his disappointing performance in his first and only title defense on Saturday.
We might not have seen the best of Magsayo.
WORSE
It had to happen.
Manny Pacquiao, 43, is scheduled to face Korean YouTuber DK Yoo (also 43) in a boxing exhibition on Dec. 10 after losing in his bid to become president of the Philippines. It will be the future Hall of Famer’s first fight since he lost his welterweight belt to Yordenis Ugas last August.
Pacquiao and Yoo reportedly will sign the contract on July 20 in Manila, after which more details will be announced.
Once again, I’m a capitalist. If there’s a demand to see Pacquiao in the ring with the experienced martial artist from Seoul or anyone else, he should be allowed to take advantage of it. He has a right to make a living, right?
I had just hoped that Pacquiao wouldn’t go down this road, where so many have traveled. Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez are just a few of the once-great fighters who have taken part in exhibitions.
Some people enjoy them for the sack of nostalgia, I presume. I, for one, don’t want to be reminded of what they’ve lost in their later years. The speed, the reflexes, the agility. Gone, gone, gone. The brain might know what to do but the body is unable to follow orders.
I want to remember them as they were, when they ruled the sport with breathtaking ability.
I was reminded of a story someone once told me, about a one-time famous major league baseball player who dated some of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood. Many years later, when he was in his 70s, one of the actresses contacted him and suggested they have a reunion. The ball player’s response? “Let’s not. Let’s hold onto a wonderful memory instead.”
That’s how I feel about these exhibitions. I’d rather hold onto wonderful memories.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) should give up on the idea of altering his style, from a relentless pressure fighter to a more measured boxer-puncher. He tried boxing against Carlos Castro (27-2, 12 KOs) in his 126-pound fight on the Vargas-Magsayo card, which allowed Castro be competitive. Once Figueroa reverted back to the beast he was when he was a titleholder at 122 he overwhelmed his opponent and stopped him in six rounds. That version of Figueroa will be a handful for any of the top featherweights, including Vargas. … Lightweight contender Frank Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) gave a solid, but imperfect performance against Jackson Marinez (19-3, 7 KOs) on the Vargas-Magsayo card. He used his speed and tight technique to outbox Marinez in the first half of the fight, allowed Marinez back into the fight by lowering his output and then finally scoring a knockout in the 10th and final round. Martin is a talented fighter. He just needs more seasoning before he faces the likes of Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia. …
You have to admire longtime heavyweight contender Derek Chisora. The 38-year-old Londoner, who has been in so many wars, seemed to be finished when he lost a wide decision in his rematch with Joseph Parker last December. That was his third consecutive loss and seventh in his last 15. How much more could he give? Quite a bit, it turns out. Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) fought his heart out to earn a split-decision victory in an entertaining rematch with 41-year-old Kubrat Pulev (29-3, 14 KOs) on Saturday at O2 Arena, his first victory since 2019. Chisora admitted afterward that, “I don’t have many left in me.” His dream opponent before he finally steps away is former champion Deontay Wilder. “Del Boy” earned that kind of opportunity with his gutsy performance on Saturday.
