Philippines, 22 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Magsayo vs. Vargas & Chisora vs. Pulev 2 Headline Weekend Action


PhilBoxing.com




This Saturday headlining main events here in the states and abroad feature newly crowned champion in Mark Magsayo, facing a tough style matchup in Rey Vargas as part of a Showtime tripleheader. Also, a rematch between a normally exciting Derek Chisora taking on Kubrat Pulev streaming live on the DAZN app should deliver at least a somewhat competitive bout. Coming off what appeared to be a slow weekend on paper ended up producing a sizable upset so we should be in for some fun this Saturday.

Let’s start with a rematch that no one was really screaming for but on face value will be a two-way fight and this hack-of-a-scribe finds it hard to complain about that. Chisora will have to find his way inside and land meaningful punches in the first part of the fight if he has any legit chance of pulling out the ‘W’. Speaking of winning, Chisora’s hand hasn’t been raised going all the way back to 2019 over David Price. Look for Pulev to fight at range and control the action with his impressive jab. Beyond the jab and movement Pulev will land flush right hands either straight or via upper cut.



Even though their first meeting back in 2016 was a split-decision the cards should’ve been all in favor of Pulev. Unless Kubrat has fallen of the ledge and the age factor catches up to him Pulev should win this second go round comfortably. And to be fair Chisora could fall off the cliff due to the amount of damage he’s taken over his long career. Pulev has fought just one time since getting stopped by Anthony Joshua to close out 2020. It should be mentioned Chisora coming up short against an outside boxer type in Joseph Parker in his last two-outings did make a pretty good account so let’s hope for the best.

My Prediction is Kubrat Pulev by Unanimous Decision.

By the way I’m picking Israil Madrimov to move to 9-0 by defeating Michel Soro in the rematch from a first bout that ended strangely. If you didn’t see it the referee couldn’t hear the bell ring to close the 9th round as Madrimov teed off on Soro. Look for Madrimov to end the fight a round or two earlier and in a legal fashion. Israil started his career flashing fancy footwork with punching power but in back to back fights prior to Soto he was sloppy at times jumping with his shots and getting hit clean. In his controversial win over Soto it appeared Madrimov had tightened up his skills. Although Soto deserved a rematch from what took place the outcome will be the same.

In the main event on Showtime styles clash when fresh off a major victory over Gary Russell Jr., Mark Magsayo takes on a tough mandatory challenger. Rey Vargas is over 5’10’ with a 70.5 reach which is pretty impressive for a 126-pounder. And unlike some fighters who have reach and height advantages, Rey will use ever-bit of what he has which should mesh well facing a come-forward boxer. Besides a knockout win over Julio Ceja, Mark Magsayo’s resume was very thin making him a big underdog versus Gary Russell Jr. Yes the injury Gary sustained made it clear as day he was limited but Magsayo did do some things in the early rounds that stood out.



After rounds 3 Gary threw three jabs the rest of the 9 rounds landing 11 in total. The crazy part is Magsayo threw over 200 jabs yet only managed to land 10. He simply outworked therefore out-landed Russell something he will need to do this Saturday. Activity not just the amount of punches Magsayo will have to throw and land but the recent lack of activity of his opponent could play a big part. Vargas was inactive for 26 months from his win over Tomoki Kameda in July of 2019 to his most recent win over Leanardo Baez. The odds for this fight are basically even which means Rey Vargas has great value.

Vargas should get the early lead pumping his jab along with movement from the outside. At some point Magsayo will need to close the distance using his foot speed and if possible tying up Vargas while using his one hand free to land shots to the body/hip. It will be difficult for Magsayo to unload combinations but he must keep pace with Rey who threw nearly 800 punches in that victory over Kameda. Magsayo should be able to win a few rounds in the first say 6 to 8, but if he doesn’t cut the ring off and also make Vargas pay it will be a very long and frustrating night for him and quite possible the viewing audience. Regardless if the scorecards end up around say 7-5 or something like 9-3 the skills, reach, and now-how in the ring gives Rey Vargas more paths to victory.

My Official Prediction is Rey Vargas by Unanimous Decision.

The undercard of the Showtime triple consists of Brandon Figueroa in his first fight since taking a close points-loss to Stephen Fulton, against a quality opponent in Carlos Castro in a WBC title eliminator. If Figueroa comes thru this bout he could be matched with the winner of the main event or a step up fight none the less. The opening bout is an interesting matchup between rising prospect Frank Martin facing highly-suitable replacement boxer in Jackson Martinez. The skills Martinez posses should give Frank Martin a thing or two to think about so let’s see if he can adapt.
tobtr.com/s/12118855

Side Note: Prospect Cesar Francis at the 140-pound division goes against the hardened-vet Raymundo Beltran in the main event on ProBoxTv.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
    , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
    , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
    , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
    , Tue, 21 Jul 2026
  • IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
    , Mon, 20 Jul 2026
  • Suarez sends strong signal
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026
  • THE CORNER SHIFT: Can Ronnie Shields Rebuild Errol Spence Jr. After the Derrick James Fallout?
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026
  • Yusniel Abrahante Shocks Undefeated Luis Coria in Dominant Performance Live on ProBox TV
    , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Salamov stops Suarez as Borshchev beats Brito at historic IBA Bare Knuckle US debut
    , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Pichay re-elected NCFP prexy, eyes more GMs
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Olympus Rising by TWC - Amateur MMA Fight on Saturday; live broadcast via Kalaro 3.0 Sports Super-app
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Suarez Obliterates Avila in One-Round Blitz to Capture WBO International Crown (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 19 Jul 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.