Philippines, 28 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Will We See A Magsayo-Russell Rematch?


PhilBoxing.com





Will the World Boxing Council (WBC) order a rematch between former immediate champions Mark Magsayo and Gary Russell Jr this time in a world title eliminator?

This becomes a possibility as Magsayo's originally nominated title eliminator foe, Ghana's Isaac Dogboe, has passed up on that fight for an immediate chance to win his second world championship, the soon to be vacated WBO featherweight crown against Cuban Robbiesy Ramirez where the two are rated in top three.

Magsayo and Dogboe are rated #3 and #2 by the WBC just behind Brandon Figueroa who has been ordered to fight unified WBC-WBO super bantamweight titlist Stephen Fulton for the WBC featherweight title to be vacated by current titleholder Rey Vargas who on the other hand will be fighting top contender American O'Shaquie Foster on February 11 for the WBC super featherweight crown left by Shakur Stevenson.

But Dogboe, who is also rated #2 by the WBO, has opted to fight WBO #3 Ramirez for the WBO featherweight title to be vacated by Emanuel Navarette who will be taking on top contender Liam Wilson on February 2 in Glendale, California for the WBO super featherweight championship also left vacant by the super talented Shakur Stevenson.

Currently, WBC has Mauricio Lara rated #4 behind Magsayo but the power punching Mexican is already scheduled to challenge for the WBA featherweight title against current UK champion Leigh Wood.

That leaves Russell who is rated WBC #5 as the next available opponent for Magsayo for the WBC mandated title eliminator to face the winner of the Fulton-Figueroa fight for the WBC featherweight championship.

Incidentally the Fulton vs Figueroa will also be a rematch of their first fight at super bantamweight won closely by Fulton who defended his WBO belt while annexing Figueroa's WBC crown.

If the WBC chooses Russell, the fight versus Magsayo will likewise be a rematch of their first bout held in January last year where Magsayo ended Russell's more than six year reign as WBC world featherweight champion via upset 12 round majority decision.

Magsayo lost his WBC belt by split decision to Vargas in July 2022 in a clash of undefeated fighters held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Should the WBC bypass Russell who reportedly is also planning to move up in weight, Magsayo may face either of the next highest rated contenders, namely: former world champion Josh Warrington at #6 and fellow Briton Michael Conlan at #7.

In any event, Magsayo will be the constant in the featherweight title eliminator equation as far as the WBC is concerned.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Tyson Fury could return in Dublin on August 1st
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Long After the Cheers: Luisito Espinosa…Battle of Manila Bay 2…and an Unofficial World Record Worth Remembering
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Jordan Orozco (16-0, 16 KOs) Continues Rapid Ascent as One of Boxing’s Most Exciting Young Stars
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures 13 Medals at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 MAY 2026: Usyk Defeats Verhoeven in Controversial Stoppage; Catterall UD Giyasov; Hiruta Beats Soliman; Sanchez KOs Torrez; Jones Stops Gualtieri
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • WBC #14 Bryan Flores Takes on Jonathan Navarro in 10-round Super Lightweight Main Event on ProBoxTV, Sat., July 18, at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif.
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • Villarosa retains PH Youth super fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Six More Wins on Day Eight at 2026 Copa America
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • It’s time for blue-chip prospect Marco Romero to sign with top promoter
    , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • General Trias Team All Set for International Chess Meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 May 2026
  • Rosas wins PH superfly crown in first fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Spurs Shackle Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of West Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Paciones defeats Laspoña, retains WBO Oriental flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Results from Panama City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Improves Strong Copa America Showing with 8 win Day
    , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Benilde Blazers wins Antipolo 2x2 chess team tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 May 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
    , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions’ Trio victorious in Mexico
    , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Team USA Continues Dominant Run with 7-0 Performance on Day Six In Colombia
    , Sun, 24 May 2026
  • The Punisher Ultramarathon in Samal on May 30-31
    , Sun, 24 May 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.