WBC featherweight champion Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo 24-0 (16) will meet former WBC super bantamweight champion Rey Vargas 35-0 (22) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on July 9.
The 27-year-old Filipino will be making the first defence of the world title he won by majority decision against Gary Russell Jr 31-2 (18) in an upset in January.
“I am very thankful to my team for giving me the opportunity to defend my title in San Antonio,” said Magsayo.
“I’m excited to be fighting in the same venue where my idol Manny Pacquiao fought Marco Antonio Barrera. That was the first fight I ever saw and the reason I started boxing.
“We are preparing for a strong Mexican fighter in Rey Vargas. Everyone knows what the Philippines vs Mexico boxing rivalry brings to the ring and I’m excited to display my talents for the boxing fans in Texas and watching around the world.”
Mexican Vargas, 31, moved up to featherweight in November last year when he scored a near shutout victory over Leonardo Baez 21-5 (12).
“This fight on July 9 will be a great battle against the Filipino warrior Mark Magsayo,” said Vargas, who trains under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristáin.
“This is going to be exciting combat from start to finish. We know that he has great power, but we’ll be ready to counter that and anything else he brings to the ring. This is going to be a magnificent fight and I can’t wait to step in there and compete.”
“Saturday, July 9 will be topped by a showdown between champions as the Philippines’ Mark Magsayo makes his first title defense against the unbeaten Mexican, Rey Vargas, who will be looking to become a two-division champion at Alamodome on July 9 in San Antonio,” said Tom Brown, president of TGB Promotions.
“This card will also see the return of one of the sport’s most exciting young stars, as all-action Brandon Figueroa steps back into the ring looking to make his mark in the featherweight division, beginning with a world title eliminator against the always tough Carlos Castro. Kicking off the action will be the highly-skilled rising lightweight contender, Frank Martin, in a tough test against the hard-hitting Ricardo Núñez.”
Former world champion Brandon ‘The Heartbreaker’ Figueroa 22-1-1 (17) is coming off a majority decision loss to reigning WBC and WBO 122-pound champion Stephen Fulton 21-0 (8) in November.
“I’ve been waiting to get back in the ring to do what I love,” said Figueroa. “Carlos Castro is a great fighter and we both have to prove why we belong at the top of the 126-pound division. I can’t wait to fight in San Antonio in front of my fans, it’s really one of my favorite places to compete and I’m planning on giving everyone who comes out a great show like always.”
Castro 27-1 (12) is also coming off a close loss, dropping a split decision to former world champion Luis Nery 32-1 (24) in February.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the ring,” said Castro. “I have some real business to handle against Figueroa on July 9. There’s no better fight for me to show that I’m back. I’m ready to show that I’m capable of being in the mix at the top of the division and to earn a shot at the title.”
