Dreams came true for the Filipino fighter.
Gary Russell Jr. hurt his right shoulder and was essentially forced to fight with one hand.
Mark Magsayo took full advantage and brought enough pressure to edge a compromised Russell by majority decision to become the new WBC world featherweight champion. Judges at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday night saw it 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 for Magsayo.
“My dream came true,” Magsayo told Showtime’s Jim Gray. “This is my dream since I was a child. I’m so proud I’m a champion now.”
From the opening bell, Magsayo sensed that Russell was nursing his right shoulder. The mandatory challenger responded by pressuring the champion and scoring with punishing body shots to bank several rounds during the first half of the fight.
Although Russell used his veteran savvy and ring IQ enough to land that left hand and take rounds himself, he couldn’t catch up to the sheer output that Magsayo had amassed by the fight’s end as he lost his title.
“I couldn’t use my right arm,” Russell told Gray, adding that he believes he tore a tendon in his right shoulder and that the injury happened two weeks ago while in camp.
Still, Russell felt like he won the fight and said he’d like a rematch when he heals.
The Filipino Magsayo drew instant praise from boxing legend and fellow countryman Manny Pacquiao for his victory.
