Mark Magsayo wants to be a busy champion and fight anyone
New World Boxing Council featherweight Champion Mark Magsayo (24-0, 16KOs) was a special guest on this week's WBC's weekly Martes a Cafe press conference.
The new champion said his preference is to fight Leo Santa Cruz, but it would have to be at 126 pounds.
26-year-old Mark defeated long-reigning champion Gary Russell by mixed decision last weekend on January 22 in New Jersey.
'Magnifico' also mentioned Emanuel Navarrete as a possible opponent. However, former WBC super bantamweight champion Rey Vargas, who has now moved up to featherweight and remains undefeated, is the number one contender and keen to get into the ring with him.
Rey and his International Boxing Hall of Fame Trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, who were also featured on Martes a Cafe, are keen to gain this fight.
Taciturn but always pragmatic, “Nacho” praised Mark as a talented and tremendous fighter, and also said that he'd always prefer Rey to fight against Mark, as Gary is a southpaw with a complicated style. He said Rey must and will train extra hard in the build up to the opportunity. For Rey, the trek to his Romanza/Gilberto Roman Gym, is a quite a journey, as he lives in Otumba, a considerable distance away. Together, they've already achieved greatness.
Filipino fighter Mark is trained by Freddie Roach, who said that he's applied what he'd gained in training camp, utilizing it to defeat Gary Russell. He said that he'd hit Gary hard on the right shoulder in the fourth round and hurt as well as hampered him. Mark is the protege of the great Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, his compatriot.
But when asked if he is the next Manny Pacquiao he firmly responded: “There is NO next Manny. There is only one and only Manny Pacquiao. No one can achieve what he's achieved or surpass him! He is my hero, and I'm following in his footsteps. I will fight anyone, but in my division. I would like to fight Leo Santa and Luis Nery.”
Mark also said that the proper nutrition is very important for him, because he's a big feather. Between fights, he normally walks around at between 140-145lbs.
Rey says he wants a direct fight against Mark, minus a warm up bout. He declares himself ready and keen to take on the new champion immediately. He stressed that he won his super bantam title by going to Yorkshire, England, and is more than happy to travel to the United States for the opportunity to take on Mark. He stressed the key to winning is ring smarts and intelligence.
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