MASAM SPORTS 21: THE NEW WBC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, MARK "MAGNIFICO" MAGSAYO!
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Jan 2022
The new WBC featherweight champion of the world, Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo! For the first time in seven years, there is a new champion in the WBC featherweight division. Magsayo ended Gary Russell Jr.'s long reign by winning a 12-round, majority decision at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa. Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"This is my dream since I was a child," Magsayo said as the crowd cheered in approval. "I’m so proud I’m a champion now."
Judges Mark Consentino and Henry Eugene Grant, both of New Jersey gave Magsayo the win with 115-113 each. Judge Lynne Carter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania scored it a 114-114 draw.
Senator Manny Pacquiao congratulated Magsayo via Twitter:
Congratulations, @markmagsayo_MMM , on your first world championship! Thank you for bringing honor to our country by becoming the latest Filipino world boxing champion. Welcome to the club.
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) January 23, 2022.
Right after the opening bell, Russell showed aggression with his jabs, while Magsayo let loose of his heavy bombs. A perfectly-timed uppercut from the Filipino challenger hit the American champ in the second.
Russell retaliated in the third round connecting left jab and left hook combinations. In the next stanza, Magsayo unleashed a flurry of punches on Russell against the ropes, as the champion was forced to clinch.
Russell complained of an injured right shoulder between rounds four and five as he grimaced in pain. He is now practically only using a left hand as he targets the body with a left hook in the fifth.
Magsayo swept Russell with body punches in the sixth. Russell continued using his left hand only in the seventh as they had some exchanges.
In the eighth, power right punches were landed by Magsayo but the champion counters with a stinging left hand. The following round, it seemed the title belt is slowly slipping away from Russell as Magsayo showed offensive dominance.
The American continued using his left while nursing an injury and he still tried to keep his crown while recovering in the tenth. Magsayo keep pressuring Russell as the titlist began to backpedal in the eleventh.
In the final round, Russell connected a left but Magsayo countered with two right blows. Russell continued using his left jabs as Magsayo fired back until the final bell sounded.
"I couldn't use my right arm," Russell revealed that he possibly tore a tendon in his right shoulder and that the injury happened two weeks before the fight while in training camp.
"I haven’t competed in almost two years. This is what true champions do. I wanted to step into the ring and display my superiority regardless of the injury," Russell added.
Russell attempted just 3 jabs over the last 9 rounds. Magsayo landed 41% of his power punches after Russell's previous 8 opponents landed only 29% of their power punches, according to CompuBox.
CompuBox punch stats:
Total Punches Landed/Thrown (Percentage)
Magsayo 150/543 (28%)
Russell 69/323 (21%)
Jabs Landed/Thrown (Percentage)
Magsayo 10/203 (5%)
Russell 11/64 (17%)
Power Punches Landed/Thrown (Percentage)
Magsayo 148/340 (41%)
Russell 58/259 (22%)
It was the first boxing match held at Borgata in 15 years. It also marked the return of big-time boxing to Atlantic City after a two-year break due to pandemic. The Magsayo-Russell fight was the first world title bout held in the city since Claressa Shields won the women's WBC and WBO welterweight titles by defeating Ivana Habazin at Ocean Casino Resort on January 10, 2020.
The last time a men's title fight took place in Atlantic City was on November 24, 2018, when WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol defeated Jean Pascal at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Russell believed in his skills and the talent he brings into the ring. He thinks he won and wants a rematch very badly. “I felt like I still won the fight to be honest. Hell yeah I want a rematch. Would he want a rematch? That’s the question.”
“It’s up to my promotional team,” answered Magsayo when asked if he would accept a rematch. “But I’m willing to fight anybody. I’m the champion now."
But you have to enjoy your victory first, Champ. Come home and the whole country will welcome you with cheers.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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