WBC Interim Featherweight Title at Stake
We love a WBC title fight and we have boxing picks for Mark Magsayo vs Brandon Figueroa at the Toyota Center on Saturday.
Boxing lines have Figueroa favored at -270, but Magsayo isn’t a fighter to be underrated, especially coming off a heartbreaking and controversial loss to Rey Vargas.
Check on these boxing lines.
Redemption for Magsayo
Losing to Vargas (36-0) isn’t something Magsayo should be ashamed of, but the way he lost wasn’t ideal.
The split-decision loss was the first in the Filipino’s career, and it’s never easy to come back from your first loss. However, he should take confidence in knowing he can box with the best in the featherweight division.
The 27-year-old showed his class when beating Gary Allen Russell Jr. last year. It put him on the world stage and boxing betting lines started to take notice. However, the +215 underdog isn’t being respected against Figueroa.
We thought they would have been around -120 a piece, so bettors get value for Magsayo, and now he just needs to get the job done.
He believes he has what it takes to get his belt back.
“I need stamina and a jab and more combinations that can affect his style. I need to be smart in this fight,” Magsayo said. “I can punch Figueroa easily. If he gets hit hard he’s going to feel it, then I think he’s gonna run.
“It made me a better fighter because I came back stronger in training and sparring. I was a little depressed when I got my first loss, I was sad a few weeks, but after that I came back strong.”
The latest boxing news is that Magsayo is in fine condition and he should give Figueroa a run for his money – and the belt.
Figueroa on Comeback Trail
Much like Magsayo, Figueroa also had to bounce back from his first loss recently. His defeat against Stephen Fulton in 2021 in a WBA and WBO bantamweight title fight.
Now fighting at featherweight, the 26-year-old American comes off a win over Carlos Castro, and he could continue his comeback trail.
Listed as one of the rising stars in boxing, Figueroa has the skills and the looks to become a household name. He’s not there yet, but a win over Magsayo should earn him the respect he’s seeking.
Online sports betting markets have him at -270, which is shorter than expected. He’s no doubt a quality fighter, which he showed when beating Luis Nery for the bantamweight title in 2021. However, we feel as though the sportsbook isn’t giving his opponent enough respect.
“I just have to keep improving, keep fighting these top-level fighters and keep winning. That’s my main goal,” Figueroa said.
“I know me and Mark will make another great fight. And if everything goes according to plan, I’ll fight Rey Vargas or whoever wants to fight and go from there. … I’m still here fighting for world titles and that’s all I can ask for.”
Magsayo vs Figueroa Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between Magsayo and Figueroa.
Magsayo vs Figueroa Fight Information
- Fighters: Magsayo (24-1) vs Figueroa (23-1-1)
- Location: Toyota Center, Ontario, CA
- Day/Time: Saturday, Mar 4, 9 p.m. ET
- Magsayo vs Figueroa Live stream: Box Live
Magsayo vs Figueroa Betting Lines
Magsayo vs Figueroa Picks and Prediction
We’re not prepared to take -270 for Figueroa to win. It should be a close fight and Magsayo is more than capable of winning.
He’s keen to avenge his loss to Vargas, win the interim belt, and then have the rematch he deserves.
He’s hungry and we’re happy to take the +215 available for a quality former champion.
Figueroa is listed at -270 in our Vegas boxing lines. This means that if you wager $100 on Figueroa, you have a chance to win $37. Magsayo is +215, offering a chance to win $215 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Figueroa a 72.97% chance to win, with Magsayo at 31.75%.
