WBC Featherweight Challenge
Last night’s Showtime Main Event between WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. (32-2, 18 Kos) and mandatory challenger (24-0, 16 Kos) at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, wasn’t as eventful as we anticipated the bout to be but we did witness the longest reigning active run by a male Champion in boxing come to an end.
It was evident by the low punch output by Gary in the first few rounds that there was something wrong with his shoulder. Gary who is known for throwing multiple punches in bunches was relegated to pot shotting with only his left hand. Although he connected at will whenever he threw it, the overall output just wasn’t there.
Magsayo did what every fighter should do when an opponent is clearly fighting with a visible injury and that is to capitalize on it. Magsayo applied pressure early with power punches coming from all angle.
Gary did a great job at being elusive throughout the bout making it hard on Magsayo to maintain his aggressive approach but the early rounds that Magsayo had already banked in cost him dearly down the line.
Magsayo was visibly the more aggressive fighter with clearly the punch output and connection on his side. Although Gary attempted to sway the Judges with his punch and move “game plan”, after 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 for Mark Magsayo.
With this win Mark Magsayo now becomes the new WBC Featherweight Champion of the World.
Congratulations Magsayo on your latest achievement.
Blaze