Defending WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo will have his work cut out for him on the second weekend of July. Magsayo (24-0 with 16 knockouts) will make his first title defense against an incredible fighter in Rey Vargas. We saw Vargas (35-0 with 22 knockouts) dominate the super bantamweight division, and he is making a move up to challenge Magsayo. This is one of the most evenly matched fights according to the boxing betting odds, but Vargas is considered a slight favorite by the oddsmakers.
This is the headline fight of a SHOWTIME card featuring some of the best lighter boxers in the world. Brandon Figueroa and Carlos Castro will square off in the primary undercard, while Mark Magsayo and Rey Vargas clash in the main event. The event will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 9 p.m. ET on SHOWTIME from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
When: Saturday, July 9, 2022
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Why: WBC featherweight belt
Mark Magsayo vs Rey Vargas Betting Odds
Mark Magsayo -105
Rey Vargas -125
If you are unfamiliar with betting on boxing, a $125 bet on Vargas would return $100 at these odds. Meanwhile, a $105 bet on Magsayo would return $100 since both fighters are -odds. Usually, you would see a fighter at +odds though, and that’s where you could make real money if the underdog pulled off the upset.
As the fight nears, there will be decision betting too. You will be able to bet on whether the fight is decided by KO, TKO, or decision, and you can bet on which boxer will win the fight in that fashion as well.
Mark Magsayo vs Rey Vargas Preview
Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo has been dominant since turning pro almost a decade ago. Magsayo easily won his first 10 fights, setting up title shots and subsequent victories in order to claim the IBF Youth featherweight title, the WBO Youth featherweight title, and WBO International featherweight title. However, he largely boxed in his native Philippines until relatively recently.
Magsayo won the WBC-ABC featherweight title over Panya Uthok in August 2019, and he faced his toughest test against Rigoberto Hermosillo in his next bout. Magsayo had to settle for a split decision win, casting some doubt on whether or not he could eventually win a major title.
However, Magsayo proceeded to knockout Pablo Cruz and Julio Ceja in 2021 to set up a bout with Gary Russell Jr. for the WBC featherweight belt in January. Magsayo was a +300 underdog by the boxing betting odds, but he was able to outpoint the champion and win narrow majority decision. Russell had held that belt for seven years, and it was a huge win for Magsayo.
It won’t be easy for Magsayo to beat Rey Vargas. The challenger is more experienced, and he is one of the best super bantamweights of his generation. Vargas knocked out 15 of his first 16 foes, claiming multiple minor titles in the process.
Vargas was 28-0 heading into his first major title fight in February 2017. He took on Gavin McDonnell for the WBC super bantamweight belt, and he was pushed to the brink. He had to settle for a majority decision victory, but it ended up as a title winning performance.
We watched Vargas successfully defend that title five times. He won all five of those fights by unanimous decision, but his last title defense came in July 2019. Vargas didn’t fight again until taking on Leonardo Baez as a featherweight in November 2021, so there are concerns about his stamina given he has just one fight in the last three years.
Although Vargas hasn’t been tested recently, he does have a 2.5-inch reach advantage and is 4.5 inches taller than his opponent. That will definitely give him the edge and has played a big part in why he is favored.
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