FILE – Mark Magsayo reacts after fighting Gary Russell Jr for the WBC world featherweight championship at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on January 23, 2022 in Atlantic City, U.S. Mitchell Leff / Getty Images / AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Mark Magsayo lost his WBC featherweight belt to Rey Vargas by split on Sunday (Manila time) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Magsayo scored a knockdown in the ninth round, knocking out Vargas with his right hand but couldn’t get the job done as the undefeated Mexican showed great determination.
Two referees gave a score of 115-112, 115-112 to Vargas while the other gave Magsayo the win, 114-113.
Vargas (36-0, 22KOs) became the two-division champion. He was a super bantamweight champion before moving to the 126 pound weight class.
Magsayo, 27, who suffered his first loss after starting his professional career with a 24-0 record with 16 knockouts, had a hard time taking on the much taller Vargas.
Vargas used an effective stab that interrupted Magsayo’s timing.
The loss to Magsayo made the Philippines no longer the defending champion of boxing.
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