Philippines, 02 Mar 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:

  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 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.