Philippines, 19 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Magsayo aims to cut down Vargas


PhilBoxing.com





WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo is the only Filipino world titlist standing and he’s determined to turn back Mexican challenger Rey Vargas at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Manila time) to keep the flag flying. Magsayo and his team will leave Los Angeles today for San Antonio where Manny Pacquiao stopped Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 and Jorge Solis in 2007. The Alamodome was the San Antonio Spurs’ home in the NBA before transferring to the AT&T Center in 2002.

It won’t only be a battle between fighters but also between Hall of Fame trainers. Magsayo is coached by Freddie Roach and Vargas by Nacho Beristain. Joining Roach in Magsayo’s corner will be assistant coach Marvin Somodio, cutman Mike Rodriguez and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons’ son Brendan. Also in Magsayo’s team are his wife Frances, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro and strength/conditioning coach Pedro Garcia.

“Mark’s the new face of Philippine boxing,” said Gibbons. “I don’t consider Vargas a puncher and he’ll try to outbox Mark but Mark will cut him down. It’ll be a late knockout win for Mark, maybe in the 10th round. His work in the gym has been amazing. He’s stronger, his defense is tighter, his footwork is shiftier and his combinations are quicker.” Somodio said Magsayo has the tools to stop Vargas. “Sa tingin ko, kayang i-knockout ni Mark si Vargas pero focus kami kung paano manalo,” he said. “Malakas din si Vargas pero mas malakas si Mark. Mas mature na si Mark, maganda kondisyon sa tulong ni Jeaneth at Pedro.”

Magsayo, 27, wrested the WBC diadem from Gary Russell on a majority 12-round decision in Atlantic City last January. The win raised his record to 24-0 with 16 KOs. Vargas, 31, was the WBC superbantamweight champion and after five successful defenses, relinquished the throne to move up to featherweight. Vargas broke a leg during a training run and was inactive for over two years, prompting the WBC to declare him a champion-in-recess. Then he decided to invade the 126-pound division.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES
    , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced
    , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Porres-Narukami fight moved to Nov. 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Rematch for the ages
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • "Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
    , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • 4th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.