MANILA – Mark Magsayo’s ninth round dropping of Mexican Rey Vargas hardly mattered as he failed to protect his World Boxing Council (WBC) world featherweight belt with a split decision defeat on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Alamodome in Texas.
The Boholano fighter was simply outfoxed and outclassed by the much-taller Vargas in their 12-round bout with two judges siding with the latter at 115-112, 115-112 and another one favoring Magsayo at 114-113.
The defeat also left the Philippines without an active world boxing champion following the recent losses of Nonito Donaire Jr. (WBC world bantamweight) and Rene Mark Cuarto (IBF world minimumweight).
Magsayo, who defended his world title for the first time, had his moments in the final 40 seconds of ninth round as he staggered and floored Vargas with a straight right hand and also dominated the Mexican in the 10th frame.
Magsayo thought that it could be reminiscent of his come-from-behind win against Julio Ceja a year ago but Vargas regained his bearings in the final two rounds to solidify his second world title in as many divisions.
“I’m at a loss of words. I worked hard for this. I want to thank God, my family, [trainer] Nacho [Beristain]. The first title I won, I enjoyed it greatly but this one is special. This win is for me,” said Vargas.
Magsayo, for his part, said that the defeat, the first in his professional boxing career, will serve as a lesson for him as he aims to become a world boxing champion again in the future.
“It’s his today, no matter what I’ll come back stronger. I’m disappointed but I did my best,” said Magsayo. “I applied the pressure that we trained in the gym, but he was taller and he’s the man today.”
Magsayo actually was the aggressor in the first two rounds as he tagged Vargas with his signature right-handed hits but the Mexican managed to answer with some combination hits.
Vargas, however, used his height and reach advantage in rounds three, four and five as he unloaded multiple shots to the body and uppercuts to frustrate the erstwhile WBC champion.
Midway in the bout, the Mexican slugger suffered a cut at the left eye side due to an accidental headbutt but the Filipino could not take advantage as Vargas managed to evade Magsayo’s attacks.
Magsayo saw his boxing record dropped to 24-1-0 win-loss-draw, including 16 stoppage wins, while Vargas maintained his pristine slate of 36-0-0, while also recording 22 wins by stoppages./PN
