Rey Vargas And Leo Santa Cruz Could Unify At Featherweight
There is a famous phrase: “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” This comes to life more often than not in boxing. As newly crowned WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas (36-0, 22KO) ruined the plans of both Mark Magsayo (24-1, 16KO) and multi-divisional champion “El Terremoto” Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19KO).
After defeating featherweight’s longest reigning active champion in Gary Russell Jr, Magsayo was on top of the world and ready to pick up the Filipino boxing mantle left by his mentor, future hall of fame inductee Manny Pacquiao.
Santa Cruz bounced back with a win over Keenan Carbajal in 2022, after losing his WBA junior-lightweight belt to Gervonta Davis in 2020. He is still in possession of the WBA “super” featherweight title and targeted Magsayo for a unification.
Magsayo also wanted to fight in a unification but had to take care of the mandatory challenger in Vargas. However, he may have looked too far ahead as he lost the first title defense to Vargas by split decision.
A UNIFICATION COULD BE NEXT
Despite not being able to see a fight between Santa Cruz and Magsayo, fans may be treated to an all-Mexican championship as Vargas immediately called for a fight with Cruz in the post-fight interview.
“Either a unification or I do want Leo Santa Cruz in my next fight. That’s been talked about.”
With both champions fighting under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, a unification has a good chance of being next. If this happens, fans can expect another all-out war!
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By: Garrisson Bland
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