Who Could Pick Up the WBC Featherweight Title If Rey Vargas Vacates?
Boxing is a sport where opportunities come in the blink of an eye. The chance to fight for a title can happen at a moment’s notice, and fighters need to be ready for the phone call. A shake-up could hit the featherweight division, opening the door for a few former world champions to fight for a vacant WBC title.
THE NEWS THAT COULD CROWN A NEW CHAMPION
WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas (36-0, 22KO) is reportedly set to fight for the vacant WBC junior lightweight title against O’Shaquie Foster (19-2, 11KO). This move may open up a significant opportunity, providing Vargas decides to vacate his featherweight title.
Vargas removed the WBC title from Mark Magsayo and immediately called for unification against WBA Super champion Leo Santa Cruz. Due to the fight never materializing, Vargas has chosen to seek glory upward.
Equally important, the winner between Vargas versus Foster must participate in two mandatory title defenses as part of the WBC bylaws. Vargas could end up vacating the WBC featherweight title, opening the door for former world champions Magsayo, Brandon Figueroa, Isaac Dogboe, and Gary Russell Jr. It’s important to note any of them could find themselves fighting each other.
HERE ARE THE POTENTIAL PLAYERS
Coincidently, Figueroa (23-1-1, 18KO), a former super bantamweight champion, defeated Carlos Castro on the undercard of the Vargas versus Magsayo, which earned him the number one ranking shortly afterward and is in play.
Despite losing to Vargas, Magsayo (24-1, 16KO) remains within an eyeshot of regaining the title since he holds the number two spot. The Filipino fighter defeated an injured Russell earlier this year and would like nothing more than to become a two-time champion.
Dogboe (24-2, 15KO) is a former WBO super bantamweight champion that sits at the number three position. He has been on a four-fight win streak since losing back-to-back fights against two-divisional champion Emanuel Navarrete.
Mr. Russell, (31-2, 18KO) at one point, was the longest reigning champion of the division before losing the WBC title to Magsayo in January. With the passing of his father Gary Russell Sr, he has been focused on training his younger brothers.
Undoubtedly all of these former champions are aware of the possibilities that could transpire and are ready to fight at a moment’s notice if they get the call.
3Kings Boxing will be ready to provide any updates as it will be interesting to see how this situation plays out
By: Garrisson Bland
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