FILE – Mark Magsayo reacts after fighting Gary Russell Jr. for 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
MANILA, Philippines—Mark Magsayo lost his WBC featherweight title to Rey Vargas by split decision on Sunday (Manila time) at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Magsayo scored a knockdown in the ninth round, decking Vargas with a right hand but just couldn’t get the job done as the unbeaten Mexican showed great resolve.
Two judges scored it 115-112, 115-112 for Vargas while the other had Magsayo winning, 114-113.
Vargas (36-0, 22KOs) became a two-division champion. He was a former champion at super bantamweight before moving up to 126 pounds.
The 27-year-old Magsayo, who suffered his first loss after starting his pro career with a 24-0 record with 16 knockouts, had a hard time dealing with the much taller Vargas.
Vargas used an effective jab that disrupted Magsayo’s timing.
Magsayo’s defeat left the Philippines without a current boxing champion.