Mark Magsayo Could Target Leo Santa Cruz Next
Newly crowned featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-0, 16 KO’s) is still in celebration mode after taking the belt away from “Mr.” Gary Russell Jr (31-2, 18 KO’s). The Filipino champion wants to do something his foe Russell couldn’t do, and that is run a unification match with WBA Super champion “El Terremoto” Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KO’s).
The featherweight division has been without a unification match-up for an extremely long time. Magsayo wants to change that by possibly getting a fight with Santa Cruz. Keep in mind Russell had been trying to bait the WBA champion into fighting him for about two years.
There was a time when Russell posted a video of him running up on Santa Cruz’s father, Jose Santa Cruz. He even went live on a social media rant calling out the Mexican champion for not doing anything.
“You a bitch.”
Gary Russell Jr.
A BRUTAL KNOCKOUT IN A GOOD FIGHT
In 2021, Santa Cruz put his WBA Super junior lightweight belt on the line in a high-profile, champion vs champion fight against WBA Regular lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
Cruz was doing good throwing his patent number of high-volume punches and was boxing well using his height and reach advantage. However, it did not take long for the fight to turn into a war. Davis was able to get inside close, landing power shots, and Cruz fought fire with fire.
El Terremoto was beginning to take control of the fight using his boxing skills until Tank landed a left uppercut that made Cruz drop to the canvas in a lifeless state. It was over just like from a one-hitter quitter from the Baltimore power-puncher.
Cruz will be entering the ring against Keenan Carbajal since that brutal knockout back in October 2020. Furthermore, he still holds the WBA featherweight title and is on the undercard of former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman facing former WBA Regular junior welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 5.
MAGNIFICO CALLS FOR A UNIFICATION
Magsayo is very interested in adding that belt to his collection. During an interview on the DAZN Boxing Show, the Filipino champion, when asked to pick someone to fight, wasted little time dropping the name of the rival divisional champion.
“There is Leo Santa Cruz. I wanted to fight him before, and now I am a champ, maybe. I am going to watch his fight in Vegas next weekend.”
Mark Magsayo, WBC featherweight champion
It would be an excellent fight, and with the potential of a big unification fight hopefully this year, all eyes will be on Santa Cruz.
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By: Garrisson Bland
