Philippines, 10 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Magsayo ready for Vargas


PhilBoxing.com




WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo shrugged off Mexican challenger Rey Vargas’ boast of wresting the crown when they meet in a scheduled 12-round bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, this morning (Manila time) and said in the battle of undefeated fighters, he’ll be the only one standing in the end.

Vargas, 31, said he’s ready to trade with Magsayo if that’s what it takes to win the title and chided the Filipino for acting worried in preparing for the bout. “I’m not worried,” snapped back Magsayo. “My confidence is high. I was eight years old when Sen. Manny (Pacquiao) beat (Marco Antonio) Barrera in San Antonio where I’m fighting Vargas. That was when I decided to become a boxer. This is a dream come true for me.”

Magsayo, 27, worked with five sparmates who simulated Vargas’ style at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles where coach Freddie Roach and assistant Marvin Somodio provided guidance for his first title defense. Vargas is 4 1/2 inches taller at 5-10 1/2 and has a 2 1/2 advantage in reach as Magsayo’s sparmates approximated the Mexican’s size. The sparmates were 5-10 Dominique (Dimes) Crowder (13-0, 8 KOs), 5-9 Eduardo Baez (21-2-2, 7 KOs), 5-11 Bryan Chevalier (16-1-1, 12 KOs), 5-10 Dariial Kuchmenov (5-0, 3 KOs) and 5-9 1/2 Juan Carlos Burgos (34-6-3, 21 KOs). “Lahat sila mala Vargas ang style pero sina Baez at Burgos medyo brawler just in case kailangan mag-adjust,” said Somodio. “Mabilis ang footwork ni Mark at maganda head movement. Mapuruhan niya si Vargas, babagsak ‘yan. Exciting ang laban na ‘to.”

Jon Schorle will be the referee with Tim Cheatham, Jesse Reyes and David Sutherland the judges. Both Magsayo and Vargas said the scorecards won’t matter as they expect the fight to end inside the distance.

Former WBC International and Silver superflyweight champion Silvester Lopez, who fought Vargas twice in 2014, advised Magsayo to counter off the Mexican’s left jab and force the action in close quarters. Lopez floored Vargas in their first meeting but surrendered on his stool after hurting a knee in a freak accident. In the rematch, Lopez said he was ahead on points but the referee stopped it in the eighth round to award Vargas a TKO win. “Huwag palayuin si Vargas,” said Lopez. “Dapat kabit-kabit ang suntok ni Magsayo at may diin. Malambot ang panga ni Vargas kaya babagsak ‘yan kung tamaan. Mag-ingat si Mark pag-bitaw ng straight at huwag yuyuko kasi malakas ang upper ni Vargas. Katawan at ulo ang target ni Mark para ‘di malaman ni Vargas kung saan manggagaling ang suntok.”


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in  Las Vegas
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Overweight Paradero cancels bout
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Biado's World 8-Ball Title Bid Ends
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • WBC Champion Lester Martinez will be honored in Guatemala Congress
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Full Card Announced for this Saturday, April 11, Mielnicki Jr. vs. Huerta Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
    , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Unification next for Taduran?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.