WBC Featherweight World Champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo will tackle former world champion Rey Vargas in a battle of unbeatens that headlines motion reside on SHOWTIME Saturday, July 9 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in an occasion introduced by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and can function hard-hitting former world champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa taking up Carlos Castro in a WBC Featherweight Title Eliminator within the co-main occasion, plus the Derrick James-trained, unbeaten light-weight contender Frank Martin battles Panama’s power-punching Ricardo Núñez within the 10-round telecast opener.
“Saturday, July 9 might be topped by a showdown between champions because the Philippines’ Mark Magsayo makes his first title protection in opposition to the unbeaten Mexican, Rey Vargas, who might be trying to change into a two-division champion at Alamodome on July 9 in San Antonio,” stated Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “This card may even see the return of one of many sport’s most enjoyable younger stars, as all-action Brandon Figueroa steps again into the ring trying to make his mark within the featherweight division, starting with a world title eliminator in opposition to the all the time powerful Carlos Castro. Kicking off the motion would be the highly-skilled rising light-weight contender, Frank Martin, in a tricky check in opposition to the hard-hitting Ricardo Núñez.”
Extra protection will embody a pair of bouts streamed reside on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The motion will see unbeaten welterweight contender Rashidi Ellis going through Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta in a 10-round duel, plus San Antonio’s personal Ramon Cardenas battling Venezuela’s Michell Banquez in a 10-round bantamweight attraction.
Tickets for the reside occasion, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be found by way of Ticketmaster.com. The Martin vs. Núñez bout is promoted in affiliation with Man Down Promotions.
The Filipino sensation Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) fights out of Pasig Metropolis, Metro Manila by means of Los Angeles, Calif., and have become the most recent champion from the boxing-rich nation in January when he outpointed longtime champion Gary Russell Jr. to seize the 126-pound title on SHOWTIME. The 26-year-old earned the chance by knocking out former champion Julio Ceja within the tenth spherical of a struggle he trailed on the scorecards in August 2021. Magsayo is skilled by Freddie Roach in Southern California and owns 12-round resolution victories over Shoto Hayashi and Ramiro Robles, along with a sixth-round stoppage of former title challenger Chris Avalos.
“I’m very grateful to my workforce for giving me the chance to defend my title in San Antonio,” stated Magsayo. “I’m excited to be combating in the identical venue the place my idol Manny Pacquiao fought Marco Antonio Barrera. That was the primary struggle I ever noticed and the explanation I began boxing. We’re making ready for a robust Mexican fighter in Rey Vargas. Everybody is aware of what the Philippines vs. Mexico boxing rivalry brings to the ring and I’m excited to show my abilities for the boxing followers in Texas and watching all over the world.”
The previous WBC 122-pound world champion, Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs), returned from a layoff attributable to harm to attain a close to shutout resolution victory over Leonardo Baez in his featherweight debut in November 2021 on the undercard of Canelo vs. Plant. The 31-year-old went on the street to the U.Ok. to seize his title in 2017, successful a choice over beforehand unbeaten Gavin McDonnell. A local of Mexico Metropolis, Vargas made 5 profitable defenses of his title, defeating high contenders Oscar Negrete, Ronny Rios and Azat Hovhannisyan. His fifth profitable title protection got here by way of unanimous resolution over former world champion Tomoki Kameda in July 2019.
“This struggle on July 9 might be an excellent battle in opposition to the Filipino warrior Mark Magsayo,” stated Vargas, who trains underneath the tutelage of Corridor of Fame coach Ignacio “Nacho” Beristáin. “That is going to be thrilling fight from begin to end. We all know that he has nice energy, however we’ll be able to counter that, and the rest he brings to the ring. That is going to be a powerful struggle and I can’t wait to step in there and compete.”
The 25-year-old Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KOs) will debut at 126 kilos after dropping a 2021 Battle of the 12 months contender in opposition to Stephen Fulton Jr. in November on SHOWTIME, by which the 2 champions traded blows for 12 grueling rounds, finally resulting in what some observers thought was a controversial majority resolution loss. Figueroa used his youth and relentless stress to change into the primary individual to defeat Luis Nery of their championship conflict on SHOWTIME previous to the Fulton struggle. A local of Weslaco, Texas, who has beforehand fought in San Antonio six occasions, Figueroa added to his household’s legacy by capturing the world title, becoming a member of his brother Omar Figueroa, who beforehand held the light-weight world championship.
“I’ve been ready to get again within the ring to do what I really like,” stated Figueroa. “Carlos Castro is a good fighter and we each should show why we belong on the high of the 126-pound division. I can’t wait to struggle in San Antonio in entrance of my followers, it’s actually one in every of my favourite locations to compete and I’m planning on giving everybody who comes out an excellent present like all the time.”
Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) was born in Sonora, Mexico and got here to the U.S. as a baby. Now dwelling in Phoenix, Ariz., Castro most not too long ago dropped a slender split-decision in opposition to two-division champion Luis Nery in February, with one level on the playing cards finally holding Castro again from maintaining his unbeaten file intact. The 28-year-old made his title as a 122-pound contender, however has additionally competed at featherweight, together with a tenth spherical TKO victory over veteran contender Oscar Escandon in August 2021.
“I’m thrilled to be again within the ring,” stated Castro. “I’ve some actual enterprise to deal with in opposition to Figueroa on July 9. There’s no higher struggle for me to indicate that I’m again. I’m prepared to indicate that I’m able to being within the combine on the high of the division and to earn a shot on the title.”
The 27-year-old Martin (15-0, 11 KOs) rose up the light-weight rankings in 2021 with a pair of spectacular victories earlier than most not too long ago delivering a New 12 months’s Day KO over Romero Duno. In 2021, Martin knocked out the beforehand unbeaten Jerry Perez in a dominating efficiency in April, earlier than incomes a unanimous resolution over Ryan Kielczweski in August. Initially from Indianapolis, Ind., Martin now trains within the Dallas-area underneath the steering of high coach James alongside unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
“I’ve been coaching exhausting in Dallas and I’m simply excited and able to go,” stated Martin. “Núñez is a boxer-puncher, so I anticipate him to combine it up with some quick mixtures and to attempt to throw my motion off, however I’ll be prepared for all of that. Battle followers are going to take pleasure in an motion struggle with this one. We’ve bought the pace, energy and athleticism to placed on an thrilling present on July 9.”
Representing La Chorrera, Panama, Núñez (23-3, 21 KOs) enters this struggle with knockout victories in his final two fights, together with most not too long ago stopping Richard Solano within the first spherical in October 2021. The 28-year-old moved again as much as light-weight for these two victories after difficult three-division champion Gervonta Davis in July 2019 for a 130-pound title. Núñez has fought professionally since 2010 and has a brother additionally named Ricardo who’s a veteran professional fighter within the featherweight division.
“I’m very completely happy to be again in a giant struggle on July 9,” stated Núñez. “You’re going to see a complete new fighter in opposition to Martin. I’m coming to struggle and impose my fashion on my opponent. Martin is an efficient boxer who’s made it to a excessive degree, however he nonetheless has to indicate what he’s manufactured from. I’m going to present a hundred percent to cease his rise and be the primary individual to beat him.”
The 29-year-old Ellis (23-0, 14 KOs) returns to the ring for the primary time since October 2020, having earned a unanimous resolution over the beforehand unbeaten Alexis Rocha in his final outing. Initially from Lynn, Mass., Ellis additionally owns a pair of victories over veteran contender Eddie Gomez, together with a first-round knockout over Gomez in December 2016, earlier than successful by unanimous resolution of their 2019 rematch. He takes on the Buenos Aires, Argentina native Palmetta (17-1, 12 KOs), who represented his dwelling nation on the 2016 Olympics earlier than turning professional in November 2016. The 32-year-old has received his final 11 fights, with 10 coming by stoppage, together with most not too long ago defeating Yeis Solano in October 2021.
“I’m excited to be again within the ring on July 9,” stated Ellis. “I wish to thank my complete workforce, and I can’t wait to ship fireworks for everybody watching this struggle. I’m trying to steal the present and I’m coaching exhausting to ensure I do exactly that. You positively wish to tune in and see what I’m going to do on this one.”
“This struggle could be very particular as a result of it’s the similar day as Argentinian Independence Day,” stated Palmetta. “4 years in the past, I made the choice to depart my dwelling and journey to the US to additional my boxing profession. I wish to face the most important opponents, so I can earn the chance to change into a world champion. This struggle in opposition to Ellis is the massive step I’ve been on the lookout for. On July 9, prepare, as a result of I’m coming with starvation, exhausting work, and dedication. It hasn’t been straightforward for me; I’ve fought by way of the ache and battle, and due to it, I stay humble and extra motivated than ever.”
San Antonio’s Cardenas (20-1, 10 KOs) will look to run his present successful streak to 9 when he competes in entrance of his hometown crowd on July 9. The 26-year-old added a pair of victories to his resume in 2021, having most not too long ago stopped Marvin Solano in three rounds final August. He might be opposed by the 31-year-old Banquez (20-1, 14 KOs), who’s initially from Venezuela and now fights out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.. Banquez had a profitable U.S. debut in January, as he stopped the beforehand unbeaten Joahnys Argilagos in six rounds, constructing off of a 12-round resolution over the beforehand unbeaten Prince Patel in July 2019.
Here’s what the fighters needed to say about their matchups, coaching camp and extra:
MARK MAGSAYO
“It was a tremendous feeling to deliver honor to my nation by successful the world title earlier this yr. However on the finish of the day, I’m nonetheless the identical humble man that I’ve all the time been. It was very emotional returning dwelling and seeing how proud everybody was of me.
“I’m going through a fighter who’s normally going backwards. He’s tall, in order that’s all the time his plan. I’m hoping he doesn’t run an excessive amount of on this struggle. If I’m capable of get to the suitable distance with him, I’m going to get the knockout.
“I’m ready for something he brings. I’ve gotten nice sparring with guys who transfer, guys who go toe-to-toe and every thing in between. It doesn’t matter how he fights, I’ll be prepared for it.
“My footwork is unquestionably essential on this struggle. Similar to in opposition to Gary Russell Jr., I’m going to should make changes. I’m not anticipating him to combine it up with me.
“I’ve already confronted one of the best fighter within the division, and that was Gary Russell Jr. I beat him clearly and I imagine that despatched a message to the remainder of the division. Even earlier than he damage his shoulder or no matter occurred, I used to be successful the rounds.
“I’ve discovered a lot on the Wild Card Health club with Freddie Roach. I’ve change into a way more correct puncher with a legendary coach like Freddie. It’s a aid to know that they’ve my again and can be capable of get essentially the most out of me as a fighter.
“The factor I discovered from Manny Pacquiao is that self-discipline is crucial factor. With out that, you’re nothing on this sport. That’s what helps drive me day after day.
“There’s no ‘subsequent Manny Pacquiao’, there’s just one Manny Pacquiao. My solely objective is to make my profession as nice as I can. Being in comparison with Manny doesn’t faze me. I simply wish to put my very own title within the historical past books.
“All of my opponents say they’re going to knock me out. I positively don’t imagine Vargas as a result of I don’t see him pushing for it. Him saying that’s simply going to inspire me and make me higher on July 9.
REY VARGAS
“I’ve been making ready properly for this struggle. I’m all the time trying to enhance and step into the ring as the perfect model of myself. The exhausting work is completed, now I’m simply specializing in what’s going to occur on struggle night time.
“My objective is to dominate this struggle and produce the title again to Mexico. I struggle for my Mexican individuals and my household, and I work exhausting day by day to make them proud.
“’Nacho’ Beristain, together with my dad, have been with me ever for the reason that begin of my skilled journey. I do know Nacho simply in addition to he is aware of me. I prefer to say that he’s an ‘outdated man of the ocean’ with all of his life expertise. He is aware of what sort of fighter I’m, and I do know what sort of coach he’s. He is aware of me to perfection in any case of those years.
“I’m not overconfident, however I understand how exhausting I labored and what I’m able to. Magsayo will come out robust with a lot of power, however we are going to counter that. That’s after we’ll tear his head off.
“Mexico vs. Philippines has all the time been an excellent rivalry. It’s a assured, can’t-miss present. This struggle will not be going to be the exception.
“The Mexican followers are spicy, hot-headed and passionate. They all the time come out and present their help for his or her fellow countrymen. They’ll accomplish that as soon as once more and I’m very grateful to have their help each time I face a brand new problem.”
