MARK “Magnifico” Magsayo will have a chip on his shoulders when he stakes his World Boxing Council featherweight crown for the first time against tall and undefeated Mexican challenger Rey Vargas on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Many believe he was fortunate to have wrested the crown from erstwhile champ Garry Russell Jr. by majority decision last Jan. 21 at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City New Jersey because the American veteran fought with an injured right shoulder.
“A lot of people doubt my talent, my skills. They say, ‘You beat a one-handed guy (Russell).’ That’s what people say. Doubters are there always. I don’t care… but I do want to prove that I am a good fighter, the best fighter in this division,” he said in an interview with Yahoo Sports writer Michael Rosenthal that was posted on the popular American website yesterday.
In fact, the pride of Tagbilaran, Bohol, who is unbeaten in 24 fights, laced by 16 knockouts, surmised that his fight with the wily American southpaw could have ended early if Russel was injury-free.
“If that shoulder is not hurt, maybe there is a knockout there,” Magsayo said. “My counter was very effective (in) that fight. My counter and my speed and my power were very effective. And that time he (Russell) got hurt he was always running. It’s hard to catch him when your opponent is running and is a good fighter.”
Magsayo said he learned valuable lessons from the last fight that he aims to use against the lanky Vargas, who is also undefeated in 35 fights, spiked by 22 knockouts.
Noted American trainer Freddie Roach, who used to handle boxing star Manny Pacquiao, said his present protégé has still so much room to improve and mature, while gushing at Magsayo’s work ethic that he said was akin to Pacquiao’s.
