Mark Magsayo Eyeing Unification Bouts After Rey Vargas Defense!
WBC 126-pound champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-0, 16KOs) returns to the ring on July 9 where he’ll make the first defense of his title when he faces former 122-pound WBC champion Rey Vargas (35-0, 22KOs). Magnifico comes into this fight after pulling out a majority decision victory over former long-reigning featherweight champion “Mr” Gary Russell back in January.
His opponent, Vargas, made his featherweight debut last November when he soundly dominated Leonardo Baez for a unanimous decision victory. That was Vargas’ first fight since July of 2019, due to a fractured left foot. Now that he’s healthy, he has a chance to become a two-time, two division WBC champion.
Although after hearing Magsayo speak, he doesn’t plan on having a short reign as champion. Matter of fact, after he presumably gets by Vargas, he’s looking for unification bouts next. Speaking to reporters, he said the following about his plans to fight in unification bouts next rather than facing a possible opponent like former 122-pound champion Brandon Figueroa, who’s fighting in the co-main event on the undercard of Magsayo-Vargas.
“For now, for now it’s not, it’s not yet because we’re planning this year out to unify the belts. One mandatory, then unification.”
That statement shouldn’t come as a surprise. A possible unification bout with WBA Super 126-pound champion Leo Santa Cruz seems likely, as Cruz himself stated he wanted to face Magsayo shorty after he dethroned Russell Jr back in January.
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By: Jerrell Fletcher
