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:
A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
Fri, 09 May 2025SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fri, 09 May 20252025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
Fri, 09 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 May 2025Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
Fri, 09 May 2025OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025