Highlights And Results: Brandon Figueroa Overwhelms Mark Magsayo To Claim Interim 126-Pound Title
Last night, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, two former champions squared off to conclude Showtime Boxing’s Saturday night triple header.
The main event saw former super bantamweight champion Brandon Figueroa go toe-to-toe with the former featherweight titleholder, Mark Magsayo, for the interim WBC 126-pound title. Going into this match, Figueroa held a record of 23-1 with 18 knockouts, while Magsayo was 24-1 with 16 knockouts.
Early in the fight, Magsayo was looking fast, moving well and battling with powerful counter punches from inside the pocket. But as the match progressed, Figueroa seemed to get stronger with each round.
Main event starting hot and heavy 🔥@markmagsayo_MMM connects on a big right at the top of round 2️⃣#FigueroaMagsayo pic.twitter.com/H6C8H10r7f
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 5, 2023
By the fifth round, Figueroa really began to lay it on his opponent, delivering a plethora of body shots and punching volume that was unmatched. Additionally, the defensive head movement to get out of the way of Magsayo’s fast combinations really proved to be a difference maker in the later rounds of this bout.
.@BrandonLeeFig stumbles Magsayo to close out round 6 😬
Who do you have winning the fight so far? Let us know 👇#FigueroaMagsayo pic.twitter.com/EJ1Ip1kHev
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 5, 2023
In the 8th round, and then again in the 11th, Magsayo received point deductions for excessive holding, in an attempt to slow Figueroa down.
While the valiant effort on Magsayo’s part made this is an extremely competitive 12-round affair, Figueroa would walk away with the unanimous decision victory. The relentless pressure and intelligent boxing of Figueroa was ultimately too much for his opponent to handle.
Next, Figueroa will face Rey Vargas for a shot at the WBC featherweight title.
💔 THE HEARTBREAKER ON 🔝 💔@BrandonLeeFig defeats Magsayo by unanimous decision to claim the interim WBC 126-pound title 🏆#FigueroaMagsayo pic.twitter.com/tnMX38D8yg
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 5, 2023
Official Result: Brandon Figueroa def. Mark Magsayo via Decision (Unanimous) – 118-108, 117-109, 117-109
Full Card Highlights: