Boxing
Keys to Victory: Where the points will be won between Magsayo and Cortes
Garcia vs. Benn live on DAZN PPV - TONIGHT
A former featherweight world champion, Mark Magsayo is still trying to make his presence felt at lightweight.
The Filipino fighter will look to take another step in that direction tonight when he clashes with undefeated Andres Cortes in a lightweight bout set for 10 rounds.
The fight will be part of the Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View and Ultimate Tier .
Magsayo (29-2, 19 KOs) is coming off a fifth-round TKO of Feargal McCrory in April and has previously shared the ring with the likes of Gary Russell Jr., Rey Vargas and Brandon Figueroa to name a few fighters.
Meanwhile, Cortes (25-0, 13 KOs) last produced a unanimous decision over Eridson Garcia in April on the same card Magsayo defeated McCrory.
Will Magsayo create his biggest splash yet at lightweight by handing Cortes his first pro defeat? Or will Cortes keep rolling by making a former world champ his latest victim?
DAZN News examines the Keys to Victory in this intriguing lightweight tilt.
Mark Magsayo’s Keys to Victory
Find an early home to the body with speed
With blistering hand speed and impressive pop to his punch, Mark Magsayo attacking Andres Cortes’ body early could open upstairs lanes for heavier damage to follow.
Whipping slicing left and especially right hooks to the midsection will create these extra opportunities for the Filipino fighter who can dial up his hand speed with these attempts.
Show versatility with the uppercut
The former featherweight world champion demonstrates excellent versatility with his uppercuts and will be aided by this adaptability against Cortes. Magsayo has a penchant for delivering the uppercut to opponents’ abdomens and chests in some sequences, while following all the way through with the punch to tap their chins in others.
This variation of the punch helps to keep opposing fighters off guard and unsuspecting of where Magsayo’s next offering will go.
Unload the overhand right
After consistently landing to the body, Magsayo should start targeting Cortes’ midsection as deception toward changing levels and detonating his explosive overhand right.
Considering how Cortes likes to press and force inside action, Magsayo might be able to successfully disarm him enough by feinting to the body only to spring up with a fight-altering overhand right.
Andres Cortes’ Keys to Victory
Muscle Magsayo on the inside
Watch Andres Cortes work his midrange to inside gameplan and you’ll see a fighter who craftily uses a shoulder bump to create just enough space to uncork a compact hook or solid right hand around or through opponents’ guards.
This tactic is a must to muscle Mark Magsayo around and own the ring real estate needed to broker the terms of tonight’s fighting flow.
Time the check hook
Magsayo unleashes chained punches with such hand speed that Cortes could score big with a check hook — as long as he weathers the Filipino fighter’s early storms. Cortes does that and he can time his own thunderous response via the check hook.
Look to uncork the uppercut
While a check hook could be of great value to Cortes pushing the needle in his favor, so can a well-timed uppercut. As Magsayo extends sequences with his lightning-quick one-two combinations, Cortes has the opportunity to launch compact uppercuts and blast the former featherweight world champ’s chin, thoroughly owning the inside.
Who has the edge in Magsayo vs. Cortes?
Analysis: DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
Magsayo vs. Cortes is a downright difficult fight to call. I see it as close to a 50-50 bout as possible with both fighters having their moments across 10 rounds. I’m giving the slightest push to Magsayo.
His hand speed will result in a higher volume of punches to sway judges’ scorecards and he has the experience edge and ring savvy to have his hand raised. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cortes pulls out the victory, but I’m going with Magsayo’s activity earning him a split decision.
Watch Garcia vs. Benn on DAZN
Britian's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12.
Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland and other territories (check for availability) on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
