BBC SPORT | BOXING | Vargas a champion again

Fernando Vargas knocked out Jose Vargas to claim the vacant World Boxing Association super-welterweight title.

The former IBF champion floored his former sparring partner in the seventh round in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Vargas landed 14 unanswered blows to down the Mexican, who was counted out by referee Joe Cortez with one second left in the round.

The American, leading through six rounds by scores of 59-54 on the judges' scorecards, took control in the fifth when he elected to go inside.

Vargas, now with a record of 22-1 - 20 inside the distance, shook Flores with four rights to the head.

Mike Tyson was ringside to see Vargas in action
In the sixth, he then opened a small cut over Flores' right eye.

However, the 23-year-old looked anything but unbeatable.

He was jarred with punches to the head in the second, third and fourth rounds, and later said: "I got hit way too much by this guy.

"I had to do something. I had hurt him before in sparring (during 1999) with body shots - that's what won this fight."

Vargas' options now include possible fights with WBC super-welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya and unbeaten WBC welterweight champ Shane Mosley.

He could also face the winner of the Winky Wright-Robert Frazier bout for the vacant IBF junior middleweight crown on 12 October.

De La Hoya is scheduled to defend his title on 8 December. Mosley is set to fight during mid-January against an opponent to be decided.


	^^ Back to top
	Front Page \| Football \| Cricket \| Rugby Union \| Rugby League \| Tennis \| Golf \| Motorsport \| Boxing \| Athletics \| Other Sports \| Sports Talk \| In Depth \| Photo Galleries \| Audio/Video \| TV & Radio \| BBC Pundits \| Question of Sport \| Funny Old Game ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> \| BBC Weather >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII\|News Sources\|Privacy