WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr will fight for the first time in two years on Saturday, as he defends his title against Mark Magsayo. This inactivity has been down to a number of factors. There was the small matter of a global pandemic, plus an injury to mandatory challenger Rey Vargas last year. Russell is generally a quality over quantity fighter anyway, having not fought more than once in a calendar year since 2014. But the world of high-level boxing moves quickly, and Russell will be aiming to remind people of his skills as he looks to re-assert himself in the featherweight division.
The undercard features 24-year-old prospect Evan Holyfield. The light middleweight is the son of heavyweight icon Evander Holyfield, and is looking to build on an 8-0 record against 32-year-old welterweight Chris Rollins.
Here’s everything you need to know about one of the first world title fights of the year.
Where: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, NJ, USA
When: Saturday 22nd January at 9pm ET, 2am Sunday UK time
How To Watch: Showtime (US) Fite TV (UK)
Tale Of The Tape:
Russell Jr
Place Of Birth: Washington, DC, USA
Age: 33
Alias: Mr
Record: 31-1 (18KOs)
Height: 5’4½’’
Reach: 64’’
Stance: Southpaw
Last Fight: Russell made the fifth defence of his WBC featherweight crown against Tugstsogt Nyambayar in February 2020. The champion retained via a comfortable unanimous decision against his mandatory challenger, just before the world entered a chaotic state from which it has never truly emerged.
Magsayo
Place Of Birth: Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines
Age: 26
Alias: Magnifico
Record: 23-0 (16 KOs)
Height: 5’6’’
Reach: 68’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: ‘Magnifico’ last fought on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s upset defeat to WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas. On that night, he scored an impressive tenth-round TKO of former WBC super bantamweight champion Julio Ceja.
What They Say:
Russell Jr
“I want to be tested. I want that career-defining match where I have been tested, where I have been pushed. I want the opportunity to show and display my skills against someone who is a great fighter.” [Premier Boxing Champions]
Magsayo
“I learned a lot from that fight (Ceja). I learned a lesson on how to box. I made an adjustment in the middle of the fight and knocked him out. I learned a lesson on how to box. I made an adjustment in the middle of the fight and knocked him out.” [Media Call]
Main Card:
Gary Russell Jr vs. Mark Magsayo
Subriel Matias vs. Petros Ananyan
Tugstsogt Nyambayar vs. Vic Pasillas
LeShawn Rodriquez vs. Sixto Suazo
Evan Holyfield vs. Chris Rollins
