Boxing Predictions Today: Russel Jr. vs Magsayo

On Saturday, popular boxer Gary Russell Jr. returns to the ring to defend his WBC Featherweight title against Mark Magsayo. Russell Jr. is a big favorite. But Magsayo is a strong fighter. Russell Jr. versus Magsayo is the main event on PBC’s Saturday Showtime card. Check out Boxing Lines on the main event and three other terrific bouts on Premier Boxing Championships Saturday Fight Night.

Top Boxing Events: Saturday PBC on Showtime Features Russell Jr. vs. Magsayo

Premier Boxing Championships: Russell Jr. vs Magsayo

When: Saturday, Jan. 22 at 9:00 pm ET
Where: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, New Jersey
TV / Streaming: Showtime

Chris Rollins +1200 vs Evan Holyfield -4000

When: Saturday, Jan. 22

At 5-3-1, Rollins has almost zero chance of beating Holyfield. It’s by design, of course. Evan is Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield’s son.

The younger Holyfield has started his career going 8-0. Evan is tall for a super welterweight, he’s 6’ 2”, and has a tremendous reach over Rollins. One thing that could derail Holyfield’s career is how at times he’ll move backward in a straight line. But that habit won’t hurt him versus the underdog.

Boxing Pick: Evan Holyfield

Sakaria Lukas +1200 vs Tugstsogt Nyambayar -2500

When: Saturday, Jan. 22

Lukas shows up with an impressive 25-1 record. Sakaria has decent power as evidenced by his 17 knockout victories.

But although the record is great, we must question the quality of Lukas’ opponents. Sakaria beat Marco Alejandro Chable in his last via majority decision. Chable entered the ring with a 9-22-4 record.

In the win before beating Chable, Lukas knocked out 28-22 boxer Mario Antonio Macias. Nyambayar is a massive step up in class from boxers like Chable and Macias. Yes, Nyambayar has lost 2 of his last 3. But the losses were to 16-0 Chris Colbert and Gary Russell Jr. The chalk should dominate.

Boxing Pick: Tugstsogt Nyambayar

Petros Ananyan +375 vs Subriel Matias -550

When: Saturday, Jan. 22

This is a rematch of a 2020 bout that Ananyan won via unanimous decision. Matias is the chalk because since the loss, he’s knocked out then 18-0 Malik Hawkins and now 19-1 Batyrzhan Jukembayev.

Matias is 17-1 with 17 knockout victories. Ananyan will put up a fight, but we shouldn’t expect Matias to take another backward step. Subriel will be looking to make amends with a KO victory. He’ll get the knockout win before the end of the 12 rounds.

Boxing Pick: Subriel Matias

Mark Magsayo +300 vs Gary Russell Jr. -400

When: Saturday, Jan. 22

Champion Gary Russell Jr. is 31-1 with 18 knockout victories for a reason. The man can box. The only fighter to outbox Russell Jr. is Vasyl Lomachenko and that happened back in 2014.

But although Russell Jr. is great, Filipino boxer Mark Magsayo is no joke. Magsayo is taller by 2 inches and has a 4 inches reach advantage. No doubt, he’s going to outweigh Russell Jr. by at least 10 pounds on fight night. The bigger man should prevail, which means Magsayo is the pick.

Boxing Pick: Mark Magsayo

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