Editor’s Note: Now, all our premium tools for Fantasy, DFS and Betting are included in one subscription at one low price. Customers can subscribe to NBC Sports EDGE+ monthly ($9.99) or save 20% on an annual subscription ($95.88). And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
-455 Gary Russell Jr. (31-1: 18 KOs) vs. +320 Mark Magsayo (23-0: 16 KOs), Featherweight
Gary Russell Jr. 5’4” — 33 y/o:
Size does not matter. Russell Jr. is very patient and composed while under pressure. He’s sharp and an intelligent strategist with tremendous experience.
Mark Magsayo 5’6” — 26 y/o:
Magsayo possesses extremely fast hands and footwork speed. He’s got the stallion Freddie Roach as a trainer. He’s currently undefeated and highly confident going into this bout.
BACKDROP
After being on the shelf for nearly two years, WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. returns to the ring to face a young, hungry and undefeated challenger in Mark Magsayo. This will be Russell Jr.’s sixth defense of his title since winning the belt back in March of 2015. Russell Jr. over the last seven years has only competed in six occasions. For other fighters, that may seem like a concerning stat but the D.C. native has compiled over 200 fights in his amateur and professional boxing career. The Philippines fighter, Magsayo, has an elongated amateur career back home as well. Magsayo is trying to follow in the footsteps of homegrown legend Manny Pacquiao by working with Pac-Man’s former coach in Roach. I think this fight is a great meeting of a seasoned veteran going up against a flashy young talent.
The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
WHO WILL WIN?
This is a great clash of Russell Jr.’s veteran savviness and the spry youth of Mark Magsayo. Russell Jr. has wisely kept his body and mind finely tuned over the last half-decade by reigning back the number of live fight rounds and turning it up a notch when need be. Russell Jr. has an explosive leaping ability that’s matched nicely with his powerful hands. What’s more impressive is that he has flatlined opponents before without having to generate a ton of lower body momentum. Russell Jr. also is the owner of some big-time boxing experience.
His lone career loss came at the hands of one of the greatest boxers of this generation in Vasyl Lomachenko. That loss was over seven years ago, and similar to how Canelo Alvarez handled his loss to Floyd Mayweather, Russell Jr. has been undefeated since his defeat. For Magsayo, what sticks out more than his undefeated record, is the fact that he has one of the most unorthodox, yet successful punches in all of boxing. He bestows a long looping left hand that carries like a heat-seeking missile finding its way to his opponent’s chin. Not to mention that Magsayo is also one of the fastest fighters in the division. The 26-year-old is dynamic and has the ability to slide in and out of punching range with ease. My only concern for Magsayo is that his best weapon, his straight right hand, will be neutralized because of his vulnerability to a talented southpaw like Russell Jr. I have Russell Jr. winning this contest.
WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? -200 YES, +150 NO
I see this reaching the final bell easily. In his most recent fight, Russell Jr. showed us that he only hit the gas pedal when he had to and at times coasted in rounds to conserve energy in case he was needed to sprint in a later round. On the other side, Magsayo is learning quickly where to properly use spurts of energy to steal rounds and collect himself. I like the vet, Russell Jr., to respect Magsayo’s talent but do just enough to get his hand raised. I have this bout going the distance.
Stay locked to NBCSE for all your combat sports coverage and enjoy the fights this weekend!
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links. NJ, IA, IN, IL, CO, MI, VA, WV only. 21+. T&C apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
