American punching machine Brandon Figueroa believes he has Filipino rival Mark Magsayo all figured out.
Rattling off the reasons why he is destined to win their interim World Boxing Council featherweight title clash Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) in Ontario, California, Figueroa was a picture of supreme confidence during the staredown.
“I have all the abilities. Everyone knows that I love to fight,” the Texas-born Figueroa, holder of a 23-1-1- record with 18 knockouts, said.
The 5-8 Figueroa, taller by two inches, feels he doesn’t see himself leaving the ring with his head down.
“I want to dominate my opponent. Break them down and get them out of there. I train really hard to go in there and do what I do best.”
Known for getting the job done with the use of volume punching, Figueroa swears he is going all-out against Magsayo, who is a year older at 27.
“I’m going to do anything it takes to win this fight. If I have to box, I’ll box. But if I can hurt him on the inside, I’ll get in there with body shots. I can beat him any way I have to.”
Magsayo, not the type to engage in trash talk, was diplomatic when asked about the fight.
“Whatever happens in the fight, we’re ready for it.”
There was just one time when Magsayo sounded combative.
“I’ve fought a lot of good fighters and big punchers. I can take it because I want to win. I’m not a big talker, but there’s going to be a knockdown in this fight,” said Magsayo, who parades a 24-1-0 slate with 16 knockouts.
Through the years, Magsayo has let his fists do all the talking.
In his biggest win yet, Magsayo crushed rugged Mexican Julio Ceja in 2021 in Las Vegas in terrifying fashion as he sent him down to the deck unconscious after eating a wicked right hand.
While Figueroa wins fights through the number of punches thrown and landed, Magsayo has proven many times that he can end fights with just one strike.
Go ask Ceja.
