The Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list on Sunday lauded boxer Mark Magsayo for becoming the new World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion.
Magsayo snatched the title from erstwhile defending champ American Gary Russell Jr. via majority decision – 115-113, 115-113, 114-114 – ending Russell’s nearly seven-year reign in the 126-pound weight division.
The 26-year-old now becomes the fifth active Filipino boxing champion joining Rene Cuarto, Jerwin Ancajas, John Riel Casimero, and Nonito Donaire.
“Mark clearly was the better fighter. Kitang-kita naman na he dominated the fight. We congratulate him for his win and for giving a good start for Philippine boxing this 2022,” PBA Party-list spokesperson Atty. Migs Nograles said.
Magsayo controlled the fight in the early rounds, being aggressive and landing solid punches on Russell including uppercuts and body shots.
The Filipino boxer continued to dictate in the remainder of the fight, pouncing on Russell, who injured his right shoulder in the fourth round and practically rendered him a one-hand fighter for the rest of the match.
“Mark has a bright future ahead of him. We salute him for his dedication and discipline in training. Truly, when you leave nothing to chance, you get things the way you want them to happen,” Nograles said.
The 26-year-old now becomes the fifth active Filipino boxing champion joining Rene Cuarto, Jerwin Ancajas, John Riel Casimero, and Nonito Donaire.
Magsayo whipped himself to competitive shape prior to the match and easily passed the weigh-in. He also looked sharp as he joined Russell in a prefight press conference on Friday (Manila time) at Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City.
Russell, who now has a 31-2 record, held the belt since March 2015, and only defended the title five times prior to his match with Magsayo with his last one a unanimous decision win over Tugstsogt Nyambayar in February 2020.
