Magsayo ready for Vargas
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Jul 2022
WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo shrugged off Mexican challenger Rey Vargas’ boast of wresting the crown when they meet in a scheduled 12-round bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, this morning (Manila time) and said in the battle of undefeated fighters, he’ll be the only one standing in the end.
Vargas, 31, said he’s ready to trade with Magsayo if that’s what it takes to win the title and chided the Filipino for acting worried in preparing for the bout. “I’m not worried,” snapped back Magsayo. “My confidence is high. I was eight years old when Sen. Manny (Pacquiao) beat (Marco Antonio) Barrera in San Antonio where I’m fighting Vargas. That was when I decided to become a boxer. This is a dream come true for me.”
Magsayo, 27, worked with five sparmates who simulated Vargas’ style at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles where coach Freddie Roach and assistant Marvin Somodio provided guidance for his first title defense. Vargas is 4 1/2 inches taller at 5-10 1/2 and has a 2 1/2 advantage in reach as Magsayo’s sparmates approximated the Mexican’s size. The sparmates were 5-10 Dominique (Dimes) Crowder (13-0, 8 KOs), 5-9 Eduardo Baez (21-2-2, 7 KOs), 5-11 Bryan Chevalier (16-1-1, 12 KOs), 5-10 Dariial Kuchmenov (5-0, 3 KOs) and 5-9 1/2 Juan Carlos Burgos (34-6-3, 21 KOs). “Lahat sila mala Vargas ang style pero sina Baez at Burgos medyo brawler just in case kailangan mag-adjust,” said Somodio. “Mabilis ang footwork ni Mark at maganda head movement. Mapuruhan niya si Vargas, babagsak ‘yan. Exciting ang laban na ‘to.”
Jon Schorle will be the referee with Tim Cheatham, Jesse Reyes and David Sutherland the judges. Both Magsayo and Vargas said the scorecards won’t matter as they expect the fight to end inside the distance.
Former WBC International and Silver superflyweight champion Silvester Lopez, who fought Vargas twice in 2014, advised Magsayo to counter off the Mexican’s left jab and force the action in close quarters. Lopez floored Vargas in their first meeting but surrendered on his stool after hurting a knee in a freak accident. In the rematch, Lopez said he was ahead on points but the referee stopped it in the eighth round to award Vargas a TKO win. “Huwag palayuin si Vargas,” said Lopez. “Dapat kabit-kabit ang suntok ni Magsayo at may diin. Malambot ang panga ni Vargas kaya babagsak ‘yan kung tamaan. Mag-ingat si Mark pag-bitaw ng straight at huwag yuyuko kasi malakas ang upper ni Vargas. Katawan at ulo ang target ni Mark para ‘di malaman ni Vargas kung saan manggagaling ang suntok.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Tue, 01 Jul 2025CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
Tue, 01 Jul 2025Dumadag holds chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
Sun, 29 Jun 2025USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sun, 29 Jun 2025