MARK “Magnifico” Magsayo won’t be the one going down when he faces American Brandon Figueroa for the World Boxing Council interim featherweight belt this Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Canada, according to MP promotions chief Sean Gibbons.
“I think you can expect someone getting knocked out, and it’s not gonna be Mark Magsayo,” Gibbons, who handles Magsayo, told boxingscene.com writer Keith Idec in a story posted on the popular ring website yesterday.
“Mark brings so much athleticism, power, speed. He’s the full package, and Brandon’s style just complements everything Mark does. So, it’s similar to when you watched Manny Pacquiao, with the speed, the feet, the movement, box around Marquez, Morales, all those guys,” the veteran promoter stressed.
“That’s what you’re gonna see with Mark Magsayo [on] March 4th, just a clinic. Mark is hitting his stride. He’s perfect, where he needs to be. And like you said, he’s fighting a guy that wants to come to fight. I can tell you, it’s just gonna be, you know, it’s gonna be bombs away,” he added. “And it’s only gonna be one winner, and that’s gonna be Mark Magsayo.”
The fight looms as a lively battle between two sluggers, with Magsayo, 27, sporting a record of 23 wins, 16 by knockout, one loss and one draw while Figueroa, 26, has won 24 times, spiked by 18 knockouts, lost once and drawn once.
The American “Heartbreaker” has a two-inch edge in height over the 5-foot-6 Filipino prizefighter.
Magsayo’s only loss came at the hands of wily Mexican veteran Rey Vargas, who won by split decision in wresting the Filipino’s WBC featherweight belt in his first title defense last July 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
A pro since 2015, “Figueroa’s chin has been one of his greatest strengths since he made his pro debut,” according to Idec.
“His (Figueroa’s) relentless aggression has led to countless exciting exchanges in his fights, yet the durable Figueroa has lost only a 12-round majority decision to undefeated Stephen Fulton in their 122-pound title unification fight 15 months ago at Park MGM’s Dolby Live in Las Vegas,” the story said.
The report said the winner will likely next meet Vargas, who went up in weight and lost to American O’Shaquie Foster by unanimous decision last Feb. 11 in their clash for the vacant WBC super featherweight crown at the Alamodome.
Vargas, however, still owns WBC featherweight crown.
Magsayo is considered a 1-33 underdog by bookmakers.
