Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes

This is a good crossroads fight, not some manufactured grudge. Magsayo is the former world champion trying to force his way into the lightweight picture, while Cortes is 25-0 and looking for the scalp that finally pushes him towards a title shot. They meet on 12 September on the Garcia-Benn card in Las Vegas.

Magsayo is the more naturally explosive fighter. He carries that sharp right hand, likes to plant his feet and can hurt you quickly. Since losing to Rey Vargas, he’s put five wins together, and his latest outing was a fifth-round stoppage of Feargal McCrory. Cortes is different. He’s more measured, happier changing distance and putting two or three shots together before getting himself out of bother. Against Eridson Garcia, he showed he can box outside and then change gears and work inside when required.

The nuts and bolts for Magsayo are simple: he cannot follow Cortes around waiting for the big right hand. He needs to jab his way in, cut the ring and make Cortes work under pressure. His danger is becoming predictable when he starts hunting the finish.

For Cortes, the key is Magsayo’s feet. Make him reset, turn him after combinations and don’t stand admiring your work. But he cannot get too comfortable because Magsayo has the punch to change the whole fight in one exchange.

I’m going with Magsayo. I think Cortes gives him plenty of problems early. Magsayo’s experience at the higher level and heavier single-shot power eventually tell, Magsayo by late stoppage.