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Santa Cruz expects classic Filipino-Mexican rivalry vs Magsayo

Sports | Boxing

Santa Cruz expects classic Filipino-Mexican rivalry vs Magsayo

By Carlo Anolin

Mexican star Leo Santa Cruz is expecting a classic Filipino-Mexican rivalry should a featherweight title unification bout with Mark Magsayo materialize anytime soon.

Mark Magsayo and Leo Santa Cruz (Showtime / WBA)

Santa Cruz, who just scored a unanimous decision win over Keenan Carbajal in their 130-lbs (super featherweight/junior lightweight) bout, has a lot of names on his radar but he has been vocal on taking on the undefeated Magsayo.

"I think Magsayo is a great opponent. He comes forward, throws a lot of punches. He doesn't run, he comes to fight," said Santa Cruz, who improved to a 37-2-1 record on top of 19 knockouts.

"You know, Mexican and the Phillippines are always great fights. Like (Manny) Pacquiao and (Juan Manuel) Marquez and so I think that's how it's gonna be with a fight against Magsayo."

Santa Cruz, who is the super WBA champion at the featherweight division, is open to multiple possibilities as far as his future opponents are concerned.

One possibility is a unification bout against Magsayo, the WBC featherweight titlist, and others would be for him to continue making a name in the 130-lb division.

"I know my dad wants me to stay at 126 (featherweight), to unify and to do my best there. And if there's an opportunity against someone like (Oscar) Valdez or Shakur Stevenson. Let's what happens in the future," added Santa Cruz.

Valdez owns the WBC belt while Stevenson reigns over the 130-lb division of the WBO.

On his Facebook page, Magsayo can be seen challenging Santa Cruz with a huge smile on his face after the Mexican foe defeated Carbajal.

Magsayo of MP Promotions earlier expressed that he also wants to face the likes of Santa Cruz and or Luis Nery, among others, but the Filipino champion is slated to defend his title against former WBC super bantamweight titlist Rey Vargas.

Related Tags

Leo Santa Cruz Mark Magsayo

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