In the main event of tomorrow evening's Showtime Championship Boxing in Atlantic City, the WBC world featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. (31-1, 18 KOs) will meet with the Filipino Mark Magsio (23-0, 16 KOs). The American had problems with weighing, he exceeded the limit of 57.15 kg by less than 0.25 kg, but on the second attempt he missed the weight and declares that he will win tomorrow.
“I feel good, I miscalculated a little with the weight, because I wanted to fit perfectly into the limit. I'm ready to fight," Russell Jr. said shortly after the weigh-in.
“I am perfectly prepared, despite some injury problems. Mark Magsio will be at his best, I respect him, but he's not good enough to beat me. I will show my skill, perseverance and boxing intelligence. After tomorrow's victory, I want a fight with Gervonta Davis or a rematch with Vasily Lomachenko (the Ukrainian defeated Russell in 2014 - ed. note) ”- these are the words of an American, said a few hours before the weigh-in ceremony.
Collaborating with the PBC project, Russell Jr. won the championship title in 2015 by defeating Johnny Gonzalez ahead of schedule. Since then, the American has defended the belt only five times. The last defense so far took place in February 2020, when he defeated the vice-champion of the Olympic Games from London (2012) Tugtsogt Nyambayar on points.
Tomorrow's opponent of 33-year-old Russell, 26-year-old Mark Magsio, had two fights last year: first he defeated Pablo Cruz in February by technical knockout, then he knocked out Julio Ceja on the Pacquiao-Ugas undercard in August, having been on the floor during the fight. Magsio is under a contract with Manny Pacquiao's promotional organization and trains under the guidance of Freddie Roach, Magnifico lost on points in the fight with Sekhoy, but managed to turn the tide of the fight in his favor and effectively finish it ahead of schedule.
