Former world champions Brandon ‘The Heartbreaker’ Figueroa 23-1 (18) and Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo 24-1 (16) will clash for the right to challenge WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas 36-1 (22) at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on Saturday night.
The 26-year-old Figueroa of Weslaco, Texas lost his WBA and WBC super bantamweight titles to Stephen Fulton 21-0 (8) by majority decision in November 2021 before moving up in weight to stop Carlos Castro 27-2 (12) in six frames last July.
He will face a stern challenge from Filipino Magsayo, 27, who defeated Gary Russell Jr 31-2 (18) by majority decision in January last year to claim the WBC belt before losing it in his first defence to Vargas by split decision in July.
“He’s a good fighter and not to be overlooked,” Figueroa told The Sporting News. “He’s dangerous at 126; he trains hard and his hard work [pays off]. I just have to train harder than him and be on my A-game. I’ve got to be sharp on Saturday and make sure that he doesn’t catch me with any of his power shots. I have to be smart.
“The game plan is to box him a little bit and see how he reacts to my boxing ability. If that’s working, then I’ll continue to box. If I’m more effective on the inside, then I’ve got to get on the inside. But Magsayo is a quick, explosive fighter, and not only that, he carries his power into the later rounds.
“I’ve got to box him a little bit, break him down to the body, work him against the ropes and throw my power shots.”
The winner of the bout will be awarded the WBC interim title at 126-pounds, opening up a pathway to full championship honours. For Magsayo, that would mean the opportunity to avenge his loss to Vargas.
“I won a big fight, I lost a big fight,” Magsayo said to Boxing Junkie of his two fights last year. “Now I have a big opportunity again. It’s an honour to fight for a world championship again against Figueroa. This is a great fight.
“I’m hungrier now. I’m coming off a loss. I need to come back stronger to prove to them that I’m an elite fighter, that I’m still a champ. I will get that belt again.”
Figueroa says the move up in weight has benefited him.
“I felt amazing – stronger, sharper, more relaxed, more complete,” he said. “I guess my body reacted well to the weight gain. I didn’t have to kill myself to make 122. I’m a big dude, 5ft 9ins, and off camp I can go up to 150, almost 160 pounds. I know when I slim down, I have a slim frame, but I do bulk up. I feel 126 is the perfect weight for me.
“I think me and Mark Magsayo will be another fight of the year candidate – a firefight. We’re both explosive fighters and powerful hitters, and I feel that it will be a very interesting night.
“I think the fans will be the winners because Magsayo doesn’t back down and I don’t back down. We’re going to give it all in the ring.”
