Magsayo loses last PHL world boxing title

MARK “MAGNIFICO” MAGSAYO knocked down Mexico’s Rey Vargas in the ninth round but ended up losing via split decision as the country lost its last world boxing title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Magsayo unleashed a solid right hook to Vargas’s face for the knockdown, but the Mexican got back on his feet and having piled up points most of the 12-round duel, went on the snatch the Tagbilaran City boxer’s World

Boxing Council featherweight crown.

“It’s his [Vargas] day. No matter what, I will come back stronger, I am disappointed but I did my best,” Magsayo, trained and coached by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, said.

Judges Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland favored the 5-foot-10 Vargas with 115-112 scores while Jesse Reyes gave the 5-foot-6 Magsayo 114-113.

Magsayo failed to capitalize on the knockdown as the lanky Vargas played mouse to the Filipino’s cat strategy the rest of the way.

Vargas, fighting under former Mexican world champion Juan Manuel

Marquez’s head trainer Nacho Beristain, extended his unbeaten record to 36 wins with 22 knockouts. It was his second division title after holding the WBC super bantamweight belt in 2017.

With the loss—the first for the 28-year-old Magsayo in 25 fights (16 knockouts)—the Philippines is now without a world champion after having at least seven boxing kings at one time in early 2019.

Rene Cuarto lost his International Boxing Federation minimumweight belt to Daniel Valladares of Mexico only last week in Monterrey.