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:
Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 25 Apr 2026IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026