Rey Vargas 'a very difficult fight' for Mark Magsayo, says analyst Quinito Henson

Unbeaten Mexican contender Rey Vargas will be a tough opponent for the newly crowned WBC world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo, according to veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson.

Vargas, ranked by the WBC as the no. 1 contender for its featherweight title, could be next in line for the unbeaten Magsayo after he won the crown this past weekend over Gary Russell Jr.

“It is going to be hard. If Rey Vargas is going to be his first challenger I think it will be a very, very difficult fight for Magsayo. I would not advise it at all. This guy is taller than him, he is undefeated, and he's got 70 1/2 inch reach. Magsayo is at a disadvantage on both counts,” said Henson.

Vargas, who holds a perfect record of 35-0 with 22 knockouts, is a former WBC world super bantamweight champion.

In a weekly meeting with the Mexican media earlier this week, the WBC confirmed that Vargas is the mandatory challenger to Magsayo’s title though they are yet to issue an official order. But if it was up to Henson, he would rather see Magsayo against a different foe for his first title defense.

“Vargas reminds me a little bit of Erik Morales and Raul Perez who was a bantamweight champion many years ago. This guy is rangy and it will be very difficult for Mark to beat him convincingly,” noted the respected sports analyst.

“It will be a close fight, if they trade maybe that’s an opportunity for Magsayo to display his power. We should slowly take Magsayo's career upwards. It's important that we find a worthy challenger but someone who is beatable as Magsayo continuous to gain confidence in his abilities.”

—JMB, GMA News