Brandon Figueroa Hopes To Face Rey Vargas Next, But Sees ‘Lotta Great Fighters At 126’

ONTARIO, California – Rey Vargas received a detailed look Saturday night time at Brandon Figueroa’s skill to put on down an opponent with persistent strain.

Now that Figueroa has overwhelmed Mark Magsayo, the strain is on Vargas to just accept a title protection in opposition to Figueroa subsequent. Figueroa entered the ring because the primary contender for Vargas’ WBC featherweight title and gained the WBC interim championship by decisively defeating Magsayo on factors in a 12-round “Showtime Championship Boxing” principal occasion at Toyota Area.

Mexico’s Vargas, who watched Figueroa-Magsayo from ringside, is predicted to return to the featherweight division to defend his WBC belt in opposition to Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) after struggling his first loss three weeks in the past.

“Hopefully,” Figueroa said throughout his post-fight press convention when requested about boxing Vargas subsequent. “I imply, like I stated within the ring, if he needs to battle [it’ll happen next]. If he doesn’t, whoever. I do know there’s a lotta nice champions at 126. There’s a lotta contenders. There’s a lotta nice fighters at 126. So, at this level, man, I’m simply so glad and I simply can’t wait to get in there with the perfect of the perfect and hold profitable belts and hold giving followers a fantastic present.”

Figueroa, 26, and Vargas, 32, each work with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, which ought to make it simpler for them to succeed in an settlement.

Mexico’s Mauricio Lara (26-2-1, 19 KOs), the newly topped WBA featherweight champ, is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Luis Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), one other Mexican who owns the IBF 126-pound crown, is promoted by Bob Arum’s High Rank Inc.

Two different High Rank fighters, Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) and Ghana’s Isaac Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs), will battle for the vacant WBO featherweight title April 1 at Laborious Rock Lodge & On line casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

O’Shaquie Foster (20-2, 11 KOs) totally outboxed Vargas of their 12-round battle for the then-vacant WBC 130-pound championship February 11 at Alamodome in San Antonio. Whereas Foster, of Orange, Texas, took a extra tactical strategy to beating Vargas (30-1, 22 KOs), the relentless Figueroa would attempt to put on him down by coming ahead all through their bout, battering Vargas’ physique and throwing a variety of punches.

“Yeah, you understand, I really feel like he’s a tall, lanky fighter,” Figueroa stated. “He’s gonna field me, clearly. And my job is gonna be to be the aggressor, as all the time. You already know, come ahead, you understand, perhaps field him a little bit bit, confuse him, lefty, righty, and simply, as I accomplish that nicely, simply take the battle proper to him.”

Figueroa’s strain took a bodily toll on the Philippines’ Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs), who grew drained through the second half of their battle.

Although their match appeared extra aggressive, choose Zachary Younger scored 10 of 12 rounds for Figueroa, who gained 118-108 on his card. Judges Gary Ritter (117-109) and Fernando Villarreal (117-109) scored 9 rounds apiece for the Weslaco, Texas native.

Referee Thomas Taylor deducted two factors from Magsayo as nicely. Taylor took some extent apiece from Magsayo for holding and hitting Figueroa within the eighth and eleventh rounds.

Vargas, in the meantime, beat Magsayo by cut up choice in Magsayo’s earlier look to win the WBC featherweight title July 9 at Alamodome.

Keith Idec is a senior author/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He might be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.