Gary Russell Jr. hurt his right shoulder and was essentially forced to fight with one arm.
Mark Magsayo took full advantage and brought enough pressure to edge a compromised Russell by majority decision to become the new WBC world featherweight champion. Judges at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday night saw it 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 for Magsayo.
"My dream came true," Magsayo told Showtime's Jim Gray. "This is my dream since I was a child. I’m so proud I’m a champion now."
Magsayo sensed that Russell was nursing his right shoulder early into the fight. The mandatory challenger responded by pressuring the champion and scoring with punishing body shots to bank several rounds during the first half of the fight.
Although Magsayo slowed down a bit and Russell used his ring IQ to land that left hand and take rounds himself, the veteran couldn't catch up to the sheer output that Magsayo had amassed by the fight's end. That brought a disappointing end to Russell's title reign, though it was valiant the way he fought with his left hand only.
"I couldn't use my right arm," Russell told Gray, adding that he believes he tore a tendon in his right shoulder and that the injury happened two weeks ago while in camp.
Still, Russell felt like he won the fight and said he'd like a rematch when he heals.
Magsayo drew instant praise from boxing legend and fellow countryman Manny Pacquiao for his victory.
In defeating Russell with the upset, Magsayo handed the longest active reigning world champion his first loss since 2014.
Here's how the entire Russell vs. Magsayo main card went.