MAGSAYO-FIGUEROA PRESSER: Magsayo: "Expect a Brawl"; Figueroa: "Mark is tailor-made for me"
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Mar 2023
Former world champions Mark Magsayo and Brandon Figueroa came face to face during the press conference held in Ontario, CA Thursday afternoon (Friday in Manila) promoted by Premier Boxing Champions to be shown live on Showtime on Saturday at the Toyota Arena. Magsayo and Figueroa will vie for the WBC featherweight Interim title and the winner will most likely fight Mexican champion Rey Vargas if Vargas will stay in the division.
Magsayo (24-1-0, 16KOs) lost his featherweight title to Rey Vargas by split decision in his last fight in Texas while Figueroa (23-1-1, 18KOS) lost his WBC/WBO superbantam titles to Stephen Fulton by majority decision on Nov. 27, 2021. Figueroa climbed to featherweight where he won his first fight in the division against Carlos Castro via 6th round TKO last July 9 in Texas.
During the presser, Figueroa was asked about similarities between him and Rey Vargas who are both long and rangy fighters by which Vargas defeated Magsayo. Would Figueroa use the same qualities as a recipe for success against Magsayo?
Figueroa's answer: "Yes. I have both abilities. I have the length, height. You know guys I can fight... I know a lot of people here, my dad, told me 'use your jab, distance. But to be honest, I look to fight. I go in there, dominate my opponent, break him down. Go in there. Take him out. That's my job."
Figueroa further said that he wants to make a big statement Saturday night: "I want to do everything to win this fight. I can box. I can get in there to hurt him with a body shot. I can fight lefty or righty. I have every ability to beat him. I want to make a big statement. I want to leave my mark and I want to make more titles."
Magsayo was asked what is the difference between this fight and with the Vargas fight: "For this fight, it's different. Rey Vargas is a running man. And this guy [pointing to Figueroa] he comes to fight. So big difference. Expect that there is a brawl fight there. Brandon Figueroa is not gonna back out. He comes forward. I've been prepared for this fight. I've preparing since last year, October, until now. We're ready."
More from Magsayo: "Whatever happens in the fight. Whatever style he's gonna do, forward, backward, everything, we're ready for that. We're prepared for that. I've been fighthng good fighters, good body punching fighters. I can take it. I'm not a big talker. I don't talk too much but there's gonna be a knockdown in this fight."
Magsayo will have Filipino trainer Marvin Somodio in his corner this time after having legendary trainer Freddie Roach in his corner the last five fights he was fighting in the United States that culminated in a world title victory against long time featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr on January 22, 2022 but lost the title in his next fight against Rey Vargas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
By Homer D. Sayson, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
Sat, 31 May 2025AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 31 May 2025Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 May 2025WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
Sat, 31 May 2025BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
Sat, 31 May 2025QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
Sat, 31 May 2025Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 31 May 2025Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 31 May 2025World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
Sat, 31 May 20252025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
Sat, 31 May 2025AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 31 May 2025