Another boxer fell under the constant pressure of Brandon Figueroa.
The former 122-pound belt started slow but methodically defeated Mark Magsayo to win a unanimous decision in a 12-round “provisional” 126-pound WBC title match on Saturday. at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
The official scores are 118-108, 117-109 and 117-109. Boxing Junkie got closer, 115-111 for Figueroa, seven rounds to five.
Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) is now a must-have for Rey Vargas’ WBC championship. Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs) lost in consecutive skirmishes. He lost the WBC belt to Vargas by a split decision in July.
“I just went there and wanted it,” he said shortly after the game. “I fought him right away. I want this fight so badly. I dominate him. He [fired] back to the light rain. … He can’t take pictures of my body. He has no legs below him.
“Pressure, pressure, pressure. You could say that I tired him and dominated him.
The 26-year-old Texan struggled to punch for the first few rounds and paid the price as the faster, sportier Filipino got in, dealt damage, and then moved out of danger or kept Figueroa on hold. when he tries to respond.
The hold will come back to bite Magsayo, as the former 126-pound champion has two points deducted – once in Round 8 and again in Round 11 – for holding too much.
The point deduction did not directly affect the outcome but it eliminated an effective tactic with Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs). And Figueroa’s competitors need every advantage they can get just to survive.
Figueroa got back to what he does best – constant pressure, choking – in the fourth round and didn’t give up.
Magsayo had many great moments in the match, especially when he unleashed four, five, and six-punch combinations that captured the attention of everyone watching. However, the referees clearly favored Figueroa’s work rate over the loser’s flashbacks.
And while Magsayo fought bravely throughout the match, he seemed exhausted by the final bell, which puts it on par with Figueroa’s opponents.
Figueroa now has two straight wins at 126 after losing the 122-pound belt to Stephen Fulton Jr. by majority decision in 2021. It’s clear he’s comfortable with his new weight.
“Dude, I just feel strong,” he said. “I just don’t stop, I don’t get tired. I don’t stop. I just go forward. I just want to fight.”
Vargas lost to O’Shaquie Foster by a unanimous decision in an attempt to win the vacant 130-pound WBC belt on February 11, but retained the 126-pound belt. If he defends it instead of staying at 130, it looks like he will have to do so against Figueroa.
Figueroa didn’t seem to care who was standing in front of her. He just wanted to fight.
“Whoever wants to fight me,” he said. “I want more world titles, more world champions. Give your fans good battles. That’s all.”
