By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña

This Saturday night in Ontario, California at the Toyota Arena, two of the most exciting boxers at 126lbs will battle it out for the interim WBC Featherweight Title. As the once defeated Mark Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) will take on Brandon Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) in the main event of a “Showtime Championship Boxing” triple-header. Magsayo the former WBC Champion will fight for the first time since losing his title to Rey Vargas by split decision in their 12 round fight July 9th at Alamodome in San Antonio. Figueroa will fight for the first time Saturday night since he stopped Phoenix’s Carlos Castro (27-2, 12 KOs) in the sixth round on the Vargas-Magsayo undercard. Fans of the should expect an all out war Saturday night as both fighters are all action volume punchers. 

Look for the tough Texan, Figueroa, the fairly new featherweight and former Bantamweight Champion to have his hands full Saturday night against Magsayo who captured the WBC featherweight title when he upset Gary Russell Jr. in January of 2022. “I’m ready to show off my skills, and I want to fight the best of the best and keep proving to everyone that I belong at this level” Stated Figueroa, who went on to say “Magsayo is an amazing fighter and I expect a lot from him. I’ve been in Las Vegas for over a month and things are going great. Magsayo is a strong fighter, but I’m a strong fighter as well. I have what it takes to take this fight right to him and show the world that I have the same power at featherweight. Everyone knows that I come to fight. Come March 4th everyone is going to see what kind of fighter I am at 126lbs.” Many boxing enthusiasts believe that this Saturday’s matchup has “Fight of the Year” written all over it, and for many including Figueroa this fight brings back memories of the wars between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. When asked about that Figueroa said “As fans expected from Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, this is going to be an amazing fight. We both have the heart of a lion and we’re both trying to become champions again. I won’t let anyone get in my way. I’m coming out of the ring as a champion.

 

Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa

For the Filipino, Magsayo his last two fights surely have not only brought one of the best feelings of his boxing career but also his worst. By both winning and losing the coveted WBC Title. Now the focus is on keeping his eyes set on the prize and moving one step closer to regaining championship status by capturing the interim title. “It’s going to be a great night. Southern California has amazing fight fans.” Stated Magsayo who went on to say “We’re both exciting fighters and everyone knows that they’re going to want to be at the edge of their seats for this one. I’m hungrier than ever. I’ve always been hungry, but I know that I need to win this fight. This is my chance to become a champion again.” Magsayo who had been trained under the tutelage of Freddie Roach for his last five fights, has now brought in a new head trainer. His countryman Marvin Somodio who had already been working with Magsayo as Roach’s assistant. A big reason for the change, Magsayo and Somodio speak the same first language, Bisaya. “I’m really thankful for what Freddie Roach has done for me,” Magsayo said. “I made the move because Marvin and I understand each other during the hard moments of the fight. We speak the same language. 

Heading into Saturday nights exciting matchup, Brandon Figueroa comes in as a 3 to 1 favorite. One thing however is guaranteed, the fans tuning in and live in attendance will be the winners. You have two fighters at the peak of their careers, fighters with deep boxing roots and  clash of styles that promises fireworks. My prediction “Instant Classic”

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also feature the return of former unified world champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd as he takes on the power-punching Armando Reséndiz in the 10-round middleweight co-main event. Kicking off the telecast is an intriguing clash of unbeaten young middleweights as Amilcar Vidal and Elijah García meet in a 10-round attraction. Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com

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