BBC SPORT | Boxing | Vargas' date with destiny



By Sanjeev Shetty BBC Sport Online

Watch the fight on Sunday Grandstand
(BBC2, Sun 15 Sept, 1715 BST)

Despite one devastating defeat, Fernando Vargas remains one of the most intriguing figures in boxing.

The 24-year-old fights with such an intensity and desire that one hopes he has the talent to back up his commitment to the sport.

In his biggest fight to date, he took a frightful beating at the hands of Felix Trinidad, suffering five knockdowns in 12 brutal rounds.

Many in boxing wonder whether it was one of those savage fights which leaves the loser permanently discouraged.

Vargas' thirst for combat means that he never considered quitting and has rebounded to win a version of the light middleweight world title.

Fernando Vargas

Born: 7/12/1977

Amateur career: Represented US in 1996 Olympics

World titles held: IBF and WBA light middleweight title

Record: 22 wins, one defeat (20 KOs)

Despite his youth, Vargas has already posted some very impressive wins as a professional.

Victories over experienced and savvy campaigners like Yori 'Boy' Campas, Ronald Wright and especially Ike Quartey indicated a maturity beyond his years.

Quartey was the man who gave Oscar de la Hoya all the trouble he could handle in 1999 but he struggled to do anything with Vargas.

Such victories propelled Vargas into a fight with Trinidad and such was his confidence that he believed he could go toe-to-toe with the Puerto Rican puncher.

After just a minute of their fight, Vargas had to know it was not the right strategy - he was floored twice in the opening round and hit by every punch going.

Only his immense courage allowed him to get through such a torrid opening and despite flooring Trinidad in the fourth round, Vargas took a severe beating.

Vargas is a champion again

In two fights since, Vargas has been troubled by the moderate talents of Wilfredo Rivera and Shibata Flores.

Who will prevail? Have your say

Both opponents seemed capable of penetrating Vargas' porous defence at will with Rivera even scoring a knockdown.

It has been said that those performances, albeit victorious ones, indicate that he is no longer the competitor he once was.

But it seems daft to consign a fighter to the wastebin after just one defeat.

Muhammad Ali, Thomas Hearns and Evander Holyfield all suffered in fearsome bouts before rebounding and returning in even finer style.

Vargas has not earned the right to be considered in that class as yet, but he has shown some special qualities.

And against de la Hoya, a man he has actively disliked for his entire professional career, he will certainly not lack determination.

Fernando Vargas
Vargas has come through some tough and bloody bouts
Vargas says that in a sparring session many years ago, de la Hoya took liberties with his younger man and the friction stems entirely from that incident.

As such, Vargas has been calling out for a fight with his rival for some time and the fact that both are Californians with Mexican blood makes the contest an enticing one.

Both will enter the ring defending a version of the light middleweight title but that seems to count for little in this contest.

For it is sure to be a battle of wills, skill, ego and local pride - one which Vargas is sure to revel in.


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