Mark Magsayo flies to US for fight preparation against Rey Vargas

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

WBC featherweight title-holder Mark Magsayo will be returning to the US as his fight preparations against Rey Vargas will be ramping up in the coming weeks.

With four months left before his first featherweight title defense, Magsayo and his camp said that starting his training early will keep him in top form without pressure.

From facing a technical Gary Russell Jr., Magsayo will be taking on the challenge of a hard-punching Vargas who has previously held the WBC super-bantamweight belt.

Like Magsayo, Vargas is also undefeated in 35 fights with 22 knockouts and has always been known as one of the most exciting fighters out of Mexico.

“I’ll be challenged again. This will be an exciting fight because he’s good, undefeated, and is tall. He has some advantages, but I also have mine,” said Magsayo.

Vargas enjoys a 3-inch reach advantage and a four-inch height advantage against Magsayo.

Head coach Freddie Roach will be deploying their game plan against Vargas when they meet each other in April for their Wild Card Boxing gym circuit.

Manny Pacquiao (MP) promotions and president Sean Gibbons will still handle Magsayo and has been arranging his papers for the fight since the deal has been done a few months ago.

“You know when you’re the champ, whoever they offer you, whoever they put in front of you, that’s who you would have to fight when it’s a mandatory title defense,” said Gibbons.