Mark Magsayo and Gary Russell are all set for the World Boxing Council World Featherweight title clash on Sunday (Manila time).
But the American champion had an initial scare on the scale a day before the match.
The 33-year-old southpaw out of Washington DC (31-1, 18 KOs), who is fighting for the first time in two years, initially tipped the scales at 126.5 lbs. – half-a-pound over the limit.
Russell eventually made weight an hour later.
Magsayo (23-0, 16KOs) easily made the limit, tipping his hat to Hidilyn Diaz’s dietician Jeaneth Aro for helping him with the seamless cut.
Despite the rust and the trouble Russell figured in, Magsayo is not letting his guard down come fight night at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“Gary is a really good fighter,” said Magsayo.
“Now the opportunity is here and I can’t wait for the fight.”
Russell, meanwhile, downplayed the concerns on him saying, “Boxing is not just what I do. It’s a lifestyle for me.”
Benjy Esteves will officiate the fight while the judges are Lynne Carter (Penn.), Mark Consentino (N.J.), and Henry Grant (N.J.).
