After negotiation and perception {that a} rematch between unified tremendous bantamweight champ Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa would occur in late February that bout didn’t finalize. It’s believed that Fulton will as a substitute battle former undisputed bantamweight champ Naoya “the Monster” Inoue in a mega-bout in Japan subsequent.
So, the Texan Figueroa, a former world champ himself, wanted a top quality struggle/opponent for his subsequent journey into the ring. And, Showtime Sports activities/PBC have gotten one. Figueroa will now meet former featherweight title holder Mark Magsayo of the Phillipines in March,
JUST ANNOUNCED: @BrandonLeeFig and @markmagsayo_MMM meet for the vacant Interim WBC Featherweight Title, and former Unified World Champion @Swift_JHurd takes on Armando Reséndiz on Saturday, March 4, dwell on @ShowtimeBoxing ! #FigueroaMagsayo #HurdResendiz pic.twitter.com/t4BcPm06Tz
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) January 31, 2023
From the Showtime launch Tuesday,
“…Arduous-hitting star Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa will meet Filipino sensation Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo for the vacant Interim WBC Featherweight Title on Saturday, March 4 dwell on SHOWTIME from Toyota Area in Ontario, Calif. topping a Premier Boxing Champions occasion.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also will characteristic the return of former unified world champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd as he takes on the power-punching Armando Reséndiz within the 10-round middleweight co-main occasion. Kicking off the telecast is an intriguing conflict of unbeaten younger middleweights as Amilcar Vidal and Elijah Garcia meet in a 10-round attraction.
“Saturday, March 4 can be headlined by an explosive conflict of thrilling types, as Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo are positive to go toe-to-toe to safe their standing within the featherweight division,” mentioned Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions.
Figueroa seeking to reclaim a title
The 26-year-old Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KOs) was dynamic in his 126-pound debut, swarming and dominating Carlos Castro on his method to a sixth-round TKO on SHOWTIME in July 2021. The bout was his first since a 2021 Battle of the 12 months towards Stephen Fulton Jr., which some observers thought led to controversy after the bulk determination loss for Figueroa.
A local of Weslaco, Texas, Figueroa’s relentless stress and youthful enthusiasm helped him change into the primary individual to defeat former division champion Luis Nery of their championship conflict on SHOWTIME previous to the Fulton struggle. Figueroa added to his household’s legacy by capturing the WBC 122-pound world title towards Nery, becoming a member of his brother Omar Figueroa Jr., who beforehand held the WBC light-weight world championship.
“I can’t wait to get again within the ring to do what I really like,” mentioned Figueroa. “I wish to struggle the most effective, so I’m very motivated to be up towards a former champion at featherweight like Magsayo. I’m assured that we’re going to present the followers an important struggle, as a result of neither of us prefer to take a step again. That is my likelihood to actually present what I’m able to at 126 kilos and I’m simply wanting to dominate and show it to the world.”
The Philippines’ Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) turned the most recent champion from the boxing-rich nation in January 2022 when he outpointed boxing’s then longest-reigning male world champion Gary Russell Jr. to seize the 126-pound title on SHOWTIME. Magsayo will look to maneuver nearer to regaining that title on March 4, after he misplaced a slender split-decision to Rey Vargas final July, regardless of dropping Vargas in spherical 9.
The 27-year-old earned his first title alternative by knocking out former champion Julio Ceja within the tenth spherical of a struggle he trailed on the scorecards in August 2021. Magsayo is skilled by Freddie Roach in Southern California and owns 12-round determination victories over Shoto Hayashi and Ramiro Robles, along with a sixth-round stoppage of former title challenger Chris Avalos.
“Figueroa and I each like to maneuver ahead, so everybody is aware of precisely what sort of struggle this can be,” mentioned Magsayo. “My objectives are to present the followers the motion they love and to regain my place on this division. I’m able to face anybody they put in entrance of me. This can be a true Mexican vs. Filipino fashion matchup, and I can’t wait to get again within the ring to carry out as soon as once more.”
The 32-year-old Hurd (24-2, 16 KOs) unified the WBA and IBF 154-pound titles in 2018, dropping longtime champion Erislandy Lara within the last spherical to win an in depth determination in a struggle that was the consensus 2018 Battle of the 12 months. The Accokeek, Md, native would go on to lose the titles in considered one of 2019’s finest fights, dropping a call to Julian Williams.
Hurd first turned champion in February 2017 when he stopped former champion Tony Harrison within the ninth spherical, earlier than defending the title towards one other former champion in Austin Trout. Hurd will return to the ring having most lately dropped a slender split-decision towards difficult veteran Luis Arias in June 2021.
“Y’all should’ve forgot, however I’m again to remind you what ‘Swift’ Jarrett Hurd is all about,” mentioned Hurd. “I’m in a brand new weight class and I’m seeking to dominate like I did at 154 kilos. I can’t wait to point out everybody what I’ve been engaged on within the gymnasium and show my abilities on March 4. I do know Reséndiz goes to take advantage of this chance, however I’m able to make an enormous assertion of my very own.”
Tickets for the dwell occasion, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1 at 10 a.m. PT and may be bought by way of Ticketmaster.com.
In that hotly contested determination loss 2021 with Fulton in November 2021 Figueroa spent your entire bout brawling and throwing repeated massive punches for 12 rounds with Fulton. Ultimately Fulton obtained the nod and now, has enterprise with Inoue. However, may simply come again to Figueroa late in 2023 if each fighters win their subsequent bouts.
