Champ back to work

MANILA, Philippines — After a three-week holiday in his Bohol hometown and Manila, WBC featherweight champion Mark (Magnifico) Magsayo flew back to Los Angeles the other night to start training camp for his mandatory defense against Mexican Rey Vargas at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on July 9. Magsayo moved to LA in July 2020 and vowed not to return home without the belt. He logged three wins in the US before dethroning Gary Russell in New Jersey last January.

Early this month, Magsayo came back here to a hero’s welcome. He visited family in Tagbilaran then paid a courtesy call on President Duterte in Malacañang and had breakfast with Sen. Manny Pacquiao in his home. Magsayo also fulfilled commercial engagements, appeared at the PSA Forum and met up with long-time friend Meralco PBA player Chris Newsome.

Magsayo said he got solid advice from Pacquiao during their talk of over an hour. “Nasilip ni Sen yung video ni Vargas at sabi niya, parang si (Jorge) Solis na tinalo niya sa San Antonio rin, mahaba at matangkad,” said Magsayo. “Ang payo ni Sen ay handa ko mag-counter, head movement at footwork na ‘di naman in-born kundi pwede gumanda sa practice. Disiplina ang kaniyang sinabi na mahalaga. Awkward si Vargas kaya kailangan timing at huwag hayaan siyang magdala ng laban.” Magsayo said he’s prepared to work thrice harder than his training for Russell.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, who arrived here from Las Vegas last week and will stay until tomorrow, said Magsayo isn’t a one-and-done champion. “Mark worked too long to get the belt,” he said. “Vargas is hittable. The key is to cut the distance between Mark and him. Vargas is tough at 118 or 122 but I don’t know about 126. Mark will pressure and let his hands go.” This will be only Vargas’ second fight in the featherweight division and in his first last November, he decisioned Leonardo Baez after a 28-month layoff due to a foot injury and COVID infection.