Boxing analyst does not believe Vargas has earned title shot vs Magsayo

Veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino believes that the WBC has given Rey Vargas some special treatment in giving him a shot against WBC world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo this Sunday, July 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Vargas, a former WBC world super bantamweight champion, has only fought once in the 126-pound division against Leonardo Baez in November 2021, where he won by unanimous decision.

If it was up to Tolentino, the Mexican is yet to earn top contender status.

“He has not been around in the featherweight division that long but he looked good. He has a huge physique so he can accommodate the added weight. His punches are more loaded and he insists that he is more comfortable at 126,” Tolentino told Sparring Sessions LIVE.

“But he has not much experience in featherweight. Leonardo Baez was his countryman that he was supposed to take out. The guy was cannon fodder, a banana peel, yet he still went the distance with him.”

Prior to Vargas’ ten-round bout with Baez, Vargas was also away from the ring for more than a couple of years. Given his inexperience in the division and long periods of inactivity, Vargas could be in for a rough night against the hard-hitting Filipino, Tolentino says.

“Baez is not on the level of Magsayo. That was easy to do against Baez, but the nerves, pressure, and spotlight would be different with Magsayo,” Tolentino stated.

“I do not think he is worthy of his number one ranking. A lot of people think he was coddled by the WBC because he only had one fight then he was given a championship. Let Magsayo's fists put him back to his rightful place.”

—JMB, GMA News