Mark Magsayo out to prove he is the best featherweight, Gary Russell has 'no concerns' about fight

Unbeaten featherweight contender Mark Magsayo is looking to prove that he is the best 126-pounder in the world when he takes on WBC world featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. on January 23 (PH time) at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, USA.

Magsayo, who holds a record of 23-0 with 16 knockouts, is coming off a highlight reel tenth-round knockout over Julio Ceja last August. It was a fight that he was losing until the stoppage and a learning experience that he believes he can use for his first world title fight.

“I learned a lot in the Ceja fight. That gave me a lesson on how to box, how to win the fight, and how to adjust in the middle of the fight,” said Magsayo during the Russell vs. Magsayo virtual press conference.

“I am well prepared for Gary Russell. I respect him, he is a world champion, but this January 22 I am going to win the fight. I want to prove to the whole world that I am the best in my weight class.”

Russell, for his part, gave Magsayo credit for mustering a win but was seemingly unbothered with what the hard-hitting Filipino fighter can do atop the ring.

“No concern, no concerns at all. It is very seldom you see Gary Russell Jr. behind on the scorecards. Mark had to come back, he had to knock that guy out because he was losing on the scorecards. That goes to show holes and kinks in his armor,” Russell stressed.

“They can never really prepare for this sh-t. You cannot prepare for it like you think you can. I expect him to bring his physical and mental best, I take my hat off to him because he is willing to put all on the line because he wants to be the best.”

—JMB, GMA News