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Three days after winning the World Boxing Council featherweight crown, the short-term outlook for Filipino Mark Magsayo has been clarified. His next opponent will be the Mexican Rey Vargas, announced the World Boxing Council.
Magsayo is coming off the back of defeating American Gary Russell Jr., the longest reigning champion in boxing today, in a fight in Atlantic City where he won a majority decision.
Gary Russell Jr. revealed that he came into the fight with an injury and after the fourth round it got even worse, to the point where he had to complete the next seven rounds using only his defence and one hand, leading many to believe that a rematch could be the next step.
"I am very happy that the WBC reiterated my position as a title challenger. I feel very happy and very happy," said former world champion Vargas during a press conference. "Magsayo is a wider fighter, but he is smarter. Yes he has more strength than Gary Russell, but Magsayo showed a lot of intelligence in this fight," he said.
The WBC explained that Magsayo will not have a chance at an optional fight because he contracted the obligations of the previous champion, who had already been notified to face Vargas.
However, during the same virtual conference, with Magsayo present, the Filipino assured that if given the choice he would focus on someone like Leo Santa Cruz.
"I want to fight Mexicans, they are great fighters, warriors. I would like to fight Leo Santa Cruz or Luis Nery," said the champion.
Magsayo is coming off the back of defeating American Gary Russell Jr., the longest reigning champion in boxing today, in a fight in Atlantic City where he won a majority decision.
Gary Russell Jr. revealed that he came into the fight with an injury and after the fourth round it got even worse, to the point where he had to complete the next seven rounds using only his defence and one hand, leading many to believe that a rematch could be the next step.
"I am very happy that the WBC reiterated my position as a title challenger. I feel very happy and very happy," said former world champion Vargas during a press conference. "Magsayo is a wider fighter, but he is smarter. Yes he has more strength than Gary Russell, but Magsayo showed a lot of intelligence in this fight," he said.
The WBC explained that Magsayo will not have a chance at an optional fight because he contracted the obligations of the previous champion, who had already been notified to face Vargas.
However, during the same virtual conference, with Magsayo present, the Filipino assured that if given the choice he would focus on someone like Leo Santa Cruz.
"I want to fight Mexicans, they are great fighters, warriors. I would like to fight Leo Santa Cruz or Luis Nery," said the champion.