Magsayo ipagtanggol ang titulo laban kay Vargas

NAKATAKDANG depensahan ni Filipino World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Mark Magsayo sa unang pagkakataon ang kanyang titulo sa Hulyo 9, laban sa kapwa undefeated boxer Rey Vargas ng Mexico sa Alamodome sa San Antonio, Texas.

Inanunsyo ni MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons kasama si Magsayo sa Philippine Sports Writers Association online forum Martes.

“Before Mark got his opportunity to fight (Gary) Russell Jr., Rey Vargas was the mandatory (challenger). Vargas got hurt and wasn’t available to fight Russell, so we got the opportunity to fight Gary knowing that if we won, Rey Vargas was our first defense,” Wika ni Gibbons.

“It was already predetermined before Mark fought that it would be Ray Vargas, which we are fine with. It will be July 9th in San Antonio, Texas. It will be shown on Showtime and we’re looking for a broadcast partner here in the Philippines to have it shown also.”

Ang 26-year-old Magsayo (24-0) 16 knockouts) ay pinatumba si Russel nakaraang Enero 23 upang maging bagong WBC featherweight king.

Samantala, ang 31-anyos Vargas (35-0,22 KO’s) ay nagtagumpay sa kanyang pagbalik laban kay Leonardo Baez sa nakalipas na dalawang taon.

Ang 5-foot-10 Vargas ay natingga ng halos dalawang taon dahil sa promotional issues at broken leg injury.

Magsayo, native ng Tagbiliran,Bohol, ay bumalik sa Pilipinas Marso 3 at mananateli sa bansa hanggang Marso 23 bago lumipad patungong United States upang mag training sa Wildcard Gym sa ilalim ni legendary coach Freddie Roach.

Sinabi ni Magsayo na hindi siya babalik sa Pilipinas hanggat hindi pinag-isa ang lahat ng featherweight belts.