WBC mandatory featherweight title challenger Mark Magsayo has vowed to end the seven-year reign of WBC 126lb world champion Gary Russell Jr. January 22 on SHOWTIME from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ.
“I don’t think Gary has faced anyone since he became champion that has the skills that I have,” said Magsayo. “I’m going to go in there to show him something he’s never seen before and we’ll see how he reacts. I learned a lot from the Ceja fight. That gave me a lesson on how to adjust in the middle of a fight. It’s going to help me against Russell.
“I respect Gary Russell Jr., he’s a great champion, but I’m winning this fight on January 22. I want to prove to the people everywhere that I’m the best featherweight in the world.
“I’m going to show the world that I’m the best at this weight. This is the fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve been waiting patiently for my chance and I’m ready to do my best.
“I’ve had great sparring partners to prepare me for Russell and give me the same looks that he’ll give me on fight night. This is my first world title fight and I’m going to give it my all.
“I’m not trying to be the next Manny Pacquiao, but I’m trying to put my own mark on the history of this sport and for all Filipinos. I’m hungry to prove it all in the ring.
“I’m going to be the stronger fighter against Russell. We trained every day with Freddie Roach and we’ve worked on a lot of different techniques we’ll use in this fight.
“I know he’s going to bring his talent into the ring, but I’m going to show everybody that I can deliver a great fight and become champion.”
I think Gary Russell’s time is running out. He’s 33 right now and he does have really good skills, but a large amount of his success, in my opinion, is due to his athleticism and, with his age alone, I think it’s likely he’s already lost a step. So I think that even if he continues to fight the quality of opposition that he’s been doing, he only has 2 or 3 more of them at the most.
That being said, however, I’d be absolutely shocked if Magsayo is the guy to end him. Russell would have had to have lost two steps for that to happen in my opinion. I think they ordered 2 mandatories because Russell missed more than his usual 1 year this time so the winner has to fight Rey Vargas next. If Vargas gets another tune up and looks good, I could see him beating Russell.
This card is close to me at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Thinking about going but not sure of ticket prices plus $$ that they add-on.
OK – just booked 2 tickets @ $70 ea total for #1 wife and I. Very happy w/that price. It’s her birthday weekend, so happy birthday to me. Should be a nice night in A/C.
Hope you have a good time! Matias – Ananyan rematch on the undercard, should be really good.
I’ll get there early before the first undercard fight.
geez your a romantic, hope your taking her to a strip club after the fight.. haha
– Thank you for the chuckle.
– She may want to go to a “dicky” bar after the fight. I’ll have to wait in the car 🙂
– Take care.
Nice! Looks like a good card. Should be fun.
Have always been curious about Atlantic City. Have been to Vegas, but never AC. Any opinions on how the two compare?
– Never been to a live fight in Vegas.
– I would figure A/C to be a smaller scale than Vegas.
– This will be my 1st live fight in years.
– I have seen fights at the Boardwalk Hall in A/C, Trump’s Taj Majal, Blue Horizon in Philly, and local club fights in Baltimore back in the day.
– Take care.
I haven’t been to a live fight since Sultan Ibragimov-Najee Shaheed. Waiting for the right card to come to my area and I will go to one myself. It’s been a long time..