Philippines, 09 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MASAM SPORTS 54: MARK MAGSAYO STARTS TRAINING IN APRIL FOR DEFENSE AGAINST REY VARGAS


PhilBoxing.com




WBC featherweight champion Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo has started early training for his first title defense against Mexican challenger Rey Vargas on July 9 in San Antonio, Texas.

His training though will peak when he returns to the United States Tuesday and will be in stiff preparations with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at Wild Card gym.

“Training with Freddie Roach starts in April,” Magsayo was quoted by Inquirer Sports during the PSA Forum. “But I have been training even though I am on vacation. I’ve not been careless despite being on vacation.”

"Vargas is also a great boxer. I watched his fight and knew his style. This is a good matchup and it’s going to be another challenge for me,” said the 26-year-old Magsayo as quoted by Manila Bulletin.

“I’d be facing a boxer with a different style again. Interesting matchup because he’s undefeated and tall,” added Magsayo, who was with MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons at the virtual PSA Forum.

Gibbons disclosed that the bout against Vargas was already set when the Mexican boxer was the mandatory challenger for then champion Gary Russell but was injured.

“We got the opportunity to fight Gary knowing that if we won, Rey Vargas was our first defense. So it was already predetermined before Mark fought that [next] would be Rey Vargas which were fine with,” said Gibbons.

“When you’re the champ, whoever they offer you, whoever they put in front of you, that’s who you need to fight when it’s mandatory,” added the international matchmaker.

Magsayo returned home on March 3 after almost two years of training and fighting in the United States. He won the WBC world featherweight title from American Gary Russell Jr. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, New Jersey via majority decision, 115-113, 115-113 and 114-114.

Magsayo will again undergo tough preparations for Vargas, a former WBC super bantamweight champion, who is undefeated at 35-0 with 22 knockouts.

Magsayo, whose record is also immaculate at 24-0 with 16 knockouts, also made a courtesy call on his main promoter Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

“He told me that I need to use head movement and have a good counter against a taller opponent,” said Magsayo, referring to Vargas who has a three and a half inch height advantage.

“He also said that I need to double my training because I’m the defending champion.”

He was very elated having faced his hero and handed him his title belt. “The moment I have been waiting for, finally! To bring the belt to the best and my idol Manny Pacquiao. Thank you for the advice. I will work harder next fight,” added the Tagbilaran-born world champ.

Pacquiao has been very supportive of Magsayo and let him fight on the undercard of his match against Yordenis Ugas. “He reminds me of myself, how we both struggled to come from nothing to a world-rated contender," Pacquiao said about Magsayo as quoted by Inquirer Sports.

“I love his work ethic and desire to become a world champion, and I will do everything to help promote Mark and make his dreams a reality.”

* * *

P. S. This writer will start the campaign for reelection on March 25 and will be back after the May 9 elections.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 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.