Magsayo sees knockout win if Vargas doesn't 'run too much'

WBC world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo sees himself winning by knockout in his first title defense should his opponent Rey Vargas decide to engage this Sunday, July 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

“He always goes backward all fight. I hope this coming fight he’s not gonna run too much. There’s gonna be a knockout if he’s not gonna run too much,” Magsayo told Boxing Scene.

“To win this fight, I’ll have to use my footwork. It’s hard to catch him. The guy is tall and he’s gonna run, so I need to make adjustments, just like the Gary Russell fight. He was too small and he was gonna run, so it’s hard to hit them when they run.”

The 27-year-old Magsayo, 24-0 with 16 knockouts as a prizefighter, also received pointers from retired eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao on how to beat a tall opponent. Regardless of whatever Vargas tries on fight night, Magsayo insists that he would be ready.

“I saw his training, his sparring. He’s always [going] backward, backward, staying away from his opponent,” Magsayo said.

“In the gym, we’ve trained for different styles; slugger, a brawler fighter and a [boxer]. Whatever his style is in this fight, we’re ready.”

—JM Siasat/JMB, GMA News