Mark Magsayo looked to make the first defense of his WBC featherweight championship on Saturday as he took on former 122-pound champion Rey Vargas. Comparisons were being made between Magsayo and Manny Pacquiao.
Vargas had other plans in mind by fighting off his jab and landing power shots. He survived a knockdown in the ninth round and looked to be on his way to losing the contest. But instead, he went back to the jab in the last two rounds to win a split decision (113-114, 115-112, 115-112) over Magsayo to capture the WBC featherweight belt. DAZN scored it 114-113 for Vargas.
Magsayo and Vargas were slinging heavy shots in the early going, with the former getting the better of the exchanges. Starting in the third round, Vargas figured Magsayo out. He began using his four-inch reach advantage and pumping the jab at will, which gave the opening to start pounding the body. The shots appeared to take their toll on Magsayo, who looked exhausted.
But in the ninth round, they were fighting on the inside when Vargas threw an uppercut, and Magsayo countered with a strong right hand to send Vargas to the canvas. Vargas made it back to his feet but was on shaky legs and was ripe for the taking. Magsayo failed to capitalize in the tenth round. He didn't put on the pressure and let Vargas off the hook.
That was all Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) needed as he returned to the jab and rode out the victory to become a two-division world champion. For Magsayo, it is his first loss in 25 fights.
Here is what happened at Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas.