Mark Magsayo likely to defend WBC title vs challenger Rey Vargas
Mark Magsayo poses for a picture after defeating Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC World Featherweight Championship at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on January 23, 2022 in Atlantic City, United States. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Mitchell Leff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—The WBC is set to order new featherweight champion Mark Magsayo to defend his belt against undefeated Rey Vargas.
Magsayo won the belt on Sunday (Manila time) after taking majority decision against Gary Russell Jr., ending a reign that lasted six years and 10 months.
Vargas (35-0), a former WBC super bantamweight champion, was ecstatic with the WBC’s announcement, which was made with Magsayo also in attendance during the press conference.
Rey Vargas of Mexico (R) lands a punch to Leonardo Baez of Mexico (L) during their featherweights boxing match at MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 6, 2021. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)
“I am very happy that the WBC reiterated my position as a title challenger. I feel very happy and very happy,” said Vargas. “Magsayo is a wider fighter, but he is smarter. Yes he has more strength than Gary Russell, but Magsayo showed a lot of intelligence in this fight.”
Magsayo (24-0), however, didn’t have the same emotion as Vargas, saying he’d rather let his promoter, MP Promotions, take care of setting up the matches for him.
“It’s up to MP Promotions what’s next for me. I can fight anybody now because I’m the champion. I’d also like to unify too,” said Magsayo. “I’ll do my best to defend the title and stay as champion. Thank you for the opportunity.”
“I want to fight Mexicans, they are great fighters, warriors. I would like to fight [WBA Super champion] Leo Santa Cruz or Luis Nery,” added Magsayo.
While Magsayo expressed his desire for a unification bout, the WBC explained that he contracted the obligations of former champion Russell in taking on Vargas.
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