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Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas Final Press Conference
WBC Featherweight World Champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo
and former world champion Rey Vargas exchanged barbs at
Thursday’s final press conference two days before they
exchange punches in the main event of action live on
SHOWTIME this Saturday, July 9 from the Alamodome in San
Antonio, Texas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
Magsayo suggested that Vargas will be in full retreat mode
on Saturday, wary of his power, while Vargas evened the
score by saying that Magsayo’s growing entourage is proof
the champion is more concerned with Vargas than he’s letting
on.
The press conference also featured hard-hitting former world
champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Carlos
Castro, who meet in a WBC Featherweight Title Eliminator in
the co-main event, plus unbeaten lightweight contender Frank
Martin and Dominican Republic’s Jackson Mariñez, who battle
in the 10-round SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast
opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Thompson
San Antonio – Riverwalk:
MARK MAGSAYO
“I hope Rey Vargas doesn’t run too much, so we can give a
good fight to the people.
“I’m not worried about Vargas. I’ve already beat the best in
the division, so my confidence is very high heading into
this fight.
“This is very special for me. I watched Manny Pacquiao fight
Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio at the Alamodome and
that was the day that I decided to start training in the
gym. I’m so thankful to have this fight –which is a dream
come true– happen here in San Antonio.
“This is a very important fight for me. I already beat
Russell, but I just want to keep proving myself. We’re both
going to go in there very confident in ourselves and that’s
going to make it a great fight.
“I’ve worked on a lot of different things with Freddie Roach
to make sure that we’re ready for anything Vargas brings. If
he wants to come toe-to-toe like he said, then I’m ready to
end this fight with a knockout.
“I guarantee that this is going to be a big night for me.
We’re ready to show who the best in the division is.
“He’s never fought a guy like me. You’re going to see that
on Saturday night.”
REY VARGAS
“If you want to exchange blows, I’m more than happy to do
that. I see it as a compliment that he’s added a lot of
people to his team. He’s taking me seriously, but I think
it’s an advantage for me, because I feel like he’s worried.
“We certainly have great trainers in each corner. Freddie is
a great trainer and I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the
ring against him before. In the end, it's going to be just
Mark and I inside the ring. We’re ready to put on a show.
“I know that someone like Freddie Roach will think they know
what our strategy will be. I have an ace up my sleeve, and
when that happens, I’m tearing his head off. His confidence
may be in the clouds, but the fall is going to hurt.
“I showcased my fighting skill in November coming off a long
layoff. There was no ring rust then and there will be no
ring rust now.
“I was prepared to fight Gary Russell Jr., but now we’re
giving Magsayo a chance. I’m fully capable and ready to go.
“Magsayo says that I haven’t faced anyone like him before,
but in reality, he has actually never faced anyone like me.
“Magsayo may want to exchange blows so badly because that
may be the only thing he knows how to do. He doesn’t know
how to fight otherwise. We will dominate him and take the
belt.
“The higher the confidence is of my opponent, the harder the
fall is.”
BRANDON FIGUEROA
“My last loss taught me a lot and I’m coming back with
everything I have. I’ve had an excellent training camp and
I’m so excited to come back and prove, just like I did at
122 pounds, that I belong in this division and that I’m
among the best.
“I learned to be a little more patient from my last fight. I
learned that I have to use my height and my technical skill
to my advantage.
“I feel like my power has increased. I feel better mentally
and physically and I’m just ready to go.
“This is going to be the best version of myself. We’ve been
working and tweaking everything. We went back to the drawing
board.
“San Antonio is like my second home. Fighting here at the
Alamodome means a lot to me. There have been a lot of
legendary fights at that arena, so I’m really anxious to get
in there and fight.
“This might be the fight of the night or the Fight of the
Year. I know that he’s going to come ready. We’re both
coming in off losses and we have a lot to prove in this
fight.
“I’m excited to be here. After this fight, hopefully
everything goes my way, because I’d love to fight these
champions up here next to me. It’d be an honor and I can’t
wait.”
CARLOS CASTRO
“I’m thankful for this opportunity. We’re two fighters who
are highly motivated coming off of a loss. Going up to 126
pounds is a big step. There are great fighters on this
stage, and I know the winner of this fight is looking to
fight the winner of the main event.
“I’m coming in hungry and in shape and I just can’t wait to
get in the ring and display my skills. All the work we’ve
put in just leads up to this.
“At the end of the day, there’s no home field advantage in
boxing. This is nothing new for us. We’re pro athletes, this
is what we do. So I’m not worried about fighting in his
backyard.
“Of course I want the world title fight. That’s the
opportunity that every fighter works for. But I’m not taking
anything from Figueroa, because it won’t be an easy task.
We’re going to be ready for everything.
“I learned a lot from my last fight. It was a great
experience for me on the big stage and it’s just going to
make me a better fighter going forward. I really can’t wait
to compete.
“I believe that this fight is meant to be fireworks. The
winner during this fight is going to be the crowd. We’re
both hungry to prove that we’re the best.”
FRANK MARTIN
“I feel like I have it all. I have speed, power, great
coaching and a great ring IQ. I’m a well-balanced fighter.
“I don’t know why I’m overlooked. Those top guys might just
want to keep me under the radar. I just really want to wake
the division up and let them know that I’m here and that I’m
here for a long time.
“The hype around me is real, but I’ll never underestimate
any opponent. I respect everyone I face. I’m going to bring
my A-game, so I hope he brings his.
“Training camp went well. It was a straight-forward but
tough camp. We got through it super smoothly. Even with the
opponent switch, it’s the same mission, just a different
game plan. I have to go in there and capitalize on any
mistake my opponent makes.
“I’m facing a real fighter. I thought he beat Rolando
Romero, but styles make fights. This is a guy who moves and
knows how to box. I’ve got something prepared for him
though.”
JACKSON MARIÑEZ
“I don’t believe the short notice will be a problem. I have
great experience to rely on, and I have been doing work
every day in order to be successful on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a great fight. I won’t underestimate
Martin, but I won’t put him on a pedestal either. We’re
going to go out there on Saturday night and see if the hype
is really true.
“A lot of people think that this is a dangerous fight to
take on short notice, but my team and my family supports me
100% and that’s all that I need.
“I would love to have a rematch with Rolly Romero. I exposed
him last time we fought, and I haven’t forgotten that loss.
I can leave it behind, but I can never forget it.
“I’m not here for talking, I’m here to get in the ring and
see who can do what.”
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