Date: 22/01/2022
Venue: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Gary Russell is a hot favourite to successfully defend his WBC featherweight title against Mark Magsayo in Atlantic City this weekend.
The 33-year-old American claimed this belt back in 2015 and has seen off five subsequent challengers, including a couple of future world champions.
Magsayo is seven years younger, hungry and a dangerous puncher, but Russell’s big-fight experience makes him hard to oppose.
We’re taking 1.83 for the holder to prevail on points as our first Gary Russell vs Mark Magsayo prediction.
Gary Russell Odds
Russell had an excellent amateur record of 163-10 and only missed out on representing USA at the 2008 Olympics due to weight problems.
As a pro, he rattled off 24 straight wins before running into the excellent Vasyl Lomachenko, who got the decision in a WBO title fight.
Just two bouts later, Russell gained ample compensation by stopping WBC champ Jhonny Gonzalez in round four.
The Washington-born boxer has been surprisingly inactive for a featherweight, averaging just one defence a year.
However, his wins over subsequent IBF super-featherweight title holder Joseph Diaz and current IBF featherweight kingpin Kiko Martinez represent rock-solid form.
Diaz was outscored 117-111 on all three cards, while Russell was ahead on points when Martinez had to retire due to a cut above his left eye.
An absence of almost two years since comfortably accounting for Tugstsogt Nyambayar over 12 rounds is obviously a slight concern, but the American has repeatedly performed well after long lay-offs.
Magsayo may have the power to hurt Russell if getting up close, but will struggle to match his opponent’s speed, work-rate and accuracy over a full fight.
Looking at the Gary Russell vs Mark Magsayo odds, we feel 7.0 for the champion to prevail after being knocked down will attract some interest.
Mark Magsayo Odds
Magsayo is bidding to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Manny Pacquaio by becoming the second Filipino fighter to land a featherweight world title.
The 26-year-old won four national titles as an amateur and has established a perfect 23-0 record in the paid ranks, with 16 wins coming inside the distance.
Like Pacquaio, Magsayo is trained by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach and has done everything asked of him so far.
Chris Avalos and former WBO bantamweight champ Panya Uthok were two decent scalps during his rise up the rankings.
Last August’s 10th-round defeat of ex-WBC super-bantamweight title holder Julio Ceja was a thriller, with both fighters going down before Magsayo came on strong from the eighth onwards.
Nicknamed Magnifico, there is no doubt the Filipino has a bright future and some will take a chance on him landing a 3.75 upset in their Gary Russell vs Mark Magsayo betting tips.
However, we just fear this opportunity may have come a little too soon in his development and 2.25 for Russell to secure a unanimous decision completes our selections.
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