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Zenger
Sport
Lem Satterfield

Mark Magsayo Dethrones Gary Russell Jr., Joins Childhood Idol Manny Pacquiao As A Filipino Champion

Unbeaten Mark Magsayo (left) lands a rare left hand to the head of Gary Russell Jr. (right), who was dethroned as WBC 126-pound champion following Saturday night's majority decision loss. Russell primarily used his left hand as a result of an injured right shoulder. (Amanda Westcott/Showtime)

Mark Magsayo admired Manny Pacquiao as a youngster growing up in the Philippines, and upon signing “Magnifico” in 2020, “The Pac Man” said Magsayo “Reminds me of myself.”

Magsayo (24–0, 16 KOs) joined his childhood idol as a champion with Saturday’s majority decision that dethroned southpaw WBC 126-pound titleholder Gary Russell Jr. (31–2, 18 KOs), ending “Mr.” Russell’s nearly seven-year reign.

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