MAGSAYO DROPS VARGAS BUT LOSES BY SPLIT DECISION
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Jul 2022
Magsayo (L) connects the right that drops Vargas in the 9th round.
Mark Magsayo of the Philippines failed to defend his WBC featherweight belt as he lost to Rey Vargas of Mexico by split decision at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) broadcast live on Showtime. Judges Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland scored the fight 115 to 112 in Vargas's favor while Jesse Reyes had it 114-113 for Magsayo.
Magsayo scored a knockdown in the 9th round but failed to capitalize on it as he allowed Vargas to cruise to victory the rest of the fight.
Both Magsayo and Vargas needed no feeling out as they started the fight on fire exchanging loaded shots right the opening bell which was unexpected for Vargas as Magsayo's camp and experts expected him to fight from a distance.
Vargas and Magsayo fight fire with fire most of the night.
In the third round, the lanky Vargas begun to control the fight by trying to throw his punches from a safe distance making it difficult for the shorter Magsayo to penetrate inside. Magsayo had his moments, specially in the 5th round where he was able to connect with solid shots but by and large Vargas had the fight in total control up until Magsayo scored a knockdown with a right straight in the 9th round.
In the 10th round, with Vargas visibly hurt and appeated to lost his balance, Magsayo failed to put the pressure on the Mexican throwing minimal punches and instead waiting to unleash his knockout punch. Vargas wisely avoided engaging with Magsayo the rest of the fight to secure the victory.
Vargas who remained undefeated and improved his record to 36 wins with 22 knockouts, thus captured his second division title after previously becoming champion as a super bantamweight.
Magsayo (24-1-0, 16KOs) absorbed the first defeat of his career and his loss left the Philippines with no world champion at the moment after a string of loses by former world champions Jerwin Ancajas, Nonito Donaire and Rene Mark Cuarto this year.
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