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In a showdown at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, July 9, Mexico’s Rey Vargas overcame a knockdown to take a split decision against Mark Magsayo and became the two-division world champion.
Magsayo (24-1, KO16) came in after a disappointing win against Gary Russell Jr. in January, where he decided by a majority to win the title.
Vargas (36-0, KO22), on the other hand, had ruled before. He was the WBC Champion in Super Bantamweight and his second fight in Featherweight.
Magsayo, 27, and Vargas, 31, traded in punches from the first seconds, with a sharp Monday-to-Monday exchange setting a tone round.
Magsayo got off to a good start, scoring Vargas in the opening round with a right hook, and the other right-hander knocked the Mexican into the second. Vargas managed to settle though, and he took part in the fight.
He landed in the third round with a tight uppercut and established his job in the fourth. Magsayo was regularly harassing Vargas, and in the fifth landed with another right who shook Vargas.
The head-to-head collision in the seventh round opened a blot on Vargas' left eye, but the Mexican was more dynamic than Magsayo with punches, movement and footwork, and cutting was never an element.
Magsayo knocked Vargas late in the ninth round, knocking Mexico to the knees on the right side of his head.
At the end of the fight, two judges scored 115-112 for Vargas, while the third defeated Magsayo 114-113 in a showdown at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
"It was a great fight," Vargas said. "I have no words to describe what happened." I'm proud This is my second title. This is going back to Mexico with me.
Vargas, the former WBC Super Bantamweight Champion, went 36-0 with a 126-pound crown.
Vargas said his next possible fight would be against a compatriot, World Boxing Association featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz.
Do you agree with Vargas if this fight happens, will Vargas be able to defend his belt?
