Rey Vargas Training To Counter Mark Magsayo’s ‘Great Power’ In July

Mark Magsayo is preparing for his first ever title defense, and his opponent said he’s ready for whatever’s coming at him.

Magsayo will put his WBC featherweight title strap on the line against former world champion Rey Vargas on July 9 in San Antonio, Texas.

“This fight on July 9 will be a great battle against the Filipino warrior Mark Magsayo,” Vargas told Boxing Scene.

“This is going to be exciting combat from start to finish. We know that he has great power, but we’ll be ready to counter that, and anything else he brings to the ring. This is going to be a magnificent fight and I can’t wait to step in there and compete.”

Trained by Hall of Fame coach Ignacio “Nacho” Beristáin, Vargas has compiled an undefeated record of 35 wins with 22 knockouts.

He returned from a short hiatus and added a unanimous decision win over Leonardo Baez in his featherweight debut on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant in November 2021.

As for Magsayo, he raised his stocks after dethroning longtime champion Gary Russel Jr by majority decision. That win came on the back of Magsayo’s devastating knockout of Julio Ceja on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs Yordenis Ugas last August.

“I’m excited to be fighting in the same venue where my idol Manny Pacquiao fought Marco Antonio Barrera,” Magsayo said.

“That was the first fight I ever saw and the reason I started boxing. We are preparing for a strong Mexican fighter in Rey Vargas. Everyone knows what the Philippines vs. Mexico boxing rivalry brings to the ring and I’m excited to display my talents for the boxing fans in Texas and watching around the world.”