WBC champion Gary Russell Jr. and Mark Magsayo face off after the weigh-ins. SHOWTIME PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Mark Magsayo had no problem making the featherweight limit ahead of his title challenge against WBC champion Gary Russell Jr. as he weighed in at 125.5 pounds.
Russell, however, had a bit of a hitch as he stepped in at 126.5 lbs in his first go.
According to RingTV.com, Russell tipped the scales at 125.5 lbs at in the second try with the champion blaming the scale for being half a pound off.
Nothing bigger than a title fight 🔥🔥#RussellMagsayo is LIVE tomorrow at 9PM ET/6PM PT on @Showtime. pic.twitter.com/A5ESi0GWSo
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 21, 2022
Magsayo, who will feature in his first World title fight, didn’t look too much into Russell’s earlier blunder.
“He’s too comfortable for himself. He thought he already got the weight,” said the undefeated Magsayo (23-0). “He’ll get the weight.”
Featherweight is limited at 126 lbs and Russell (31-1) could’ve lost his belt in the weigh-ins but the 33-year-old American managed to shed off the excess weight after officials gave him an hour to make the cut.
All good on the ⚖️ for @markmagsayo_MMM.#RussellMagsayo pic.twitter.com/cSyz09IhgY
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 21, 2022
Magsayo, who earned his title shot after a 10th round knockout of Julio Ceja in August 2021, credited nutritionist Jeaneth Aro for helping him make the featherweight limit.
Aro, who is also the nutritionist of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, orchestrated Magsayo’s diet allowing the 26-year-old to eat up until the night before the weigh-ins.
Magsayo isn’t the first boxer whom Aro has worked with as the International Olympic Committee-certified dietician also helped Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial to Olympic medals in Tokyo.