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Winning made Vargas a Champ and Losing a Hero
FRI August 19, JULIUS STECKER - At the tender age of 27, 'Ferocious' Fernando Vargas has accomplished more then most fighters will ever achieve in a lifetime in our sport, having earned millions, winning world titles, and becoming one of boxing's most popular and beloved fighters. The 'Ferocious' one, has 'kept it real' in the process, never willing to sell his image to appease the corporate suits.
Early on in his career, Fernando was considered a boxing bad boy, with an occasional hiccup with the law and the boxing media soon clumped him in with the new generation of today's fighters; young, successful, skilled and just don't give 'a what or a who' about the establishment.
Vargas's was relentless and passionate, and it was those attributes that led to great fanfare and acclaim. Throw in big wins against Winky Wright, Raul Marquez and Ike Quartey and what you have is a star.
Vargas had his flaws as well, and at times those were just as appealing to some as his virtues. Whether it had been the steroid controversy after the Oscar De La Hoya fight or his sometimes shaky chin, there was always something for every fan to gravitate to. Fernando was brown and proud, and he had more machismo then any fighter this side of Felix Trinidad.
Not long ago, fight fans will remember a young 20 year-old fighter in December 1998, putting on a masterful boxing exhibition in his dismantling of the then IBF champ Yori Boy Campas. That night he became the youngest jr. middleweight champion in boxing history. It was just two short years later, when he laid his blood, sweat, and tears on the line, in his valiant losing effort against Felix Trinidad.
The pair of bouts encapsulate Fernando's career as a prize fighter, one moment of a promising young champion, the other as a defeated hero, giving his all, but just not having quite enough.
This Saturday August 20th at the All State Arena in Chicago, Illinois, Fernando will be looking to make a return to the mainstream on HBO Championship Boxing with a shot at a huge super fight against either Oscar De La Hoya, and or newly crowned WBC champion Ricardo Mayoraga. Vargas has a new trainer, Danny Smith, and he has promised his fans he will be more committed to boxing and defense, instead of being face first slugger.
Vargas has demonstrated excellent boxing skills in the past and his last bout against Raymond Joval in March showed some signs that he is returning to old form. However, will he be able to use them against a tough veteran in Javier Castillejo?
Vargas, 25-2, will be facing a reasonably tough challenge in Castillejo, 58-5, a strong former champion, with limited ability and a decision win over Roman Karmazin, who is the #1 jr. middleweight in the world at this time. The question will be asked, Can Fernando outbox the Spaniard? Can he still take a punch? Can he win in fantastic fashion? Expect Castillejo to push Vargas to the limit, but 'Ferocious' will be strong, taking a unanimous decision.
Undercard
In a very interesting undercard fight, 2000 Olympic Silver medalist, Top Featherweight Contender Rocky Juarez, 23-0, will be taking on the tough and respected Humberto Soto, 36-5. The 25-year old Juarez was scheduled to take on WBC featherweight belt holder In Jin Chi, but he is forced to settle for Soto, because of an injury to Chi. Juarez will use his superior talent to overcome Soto in what promises to be an entertaining scrap with the WBC Featherweight Title Interim Title on the line.
Chicago Boxing in Closing
The past couple of weeks have been big for the Chicago boxing, and the midwest boxing seen in general. The week previous to this there was a reasonable entertaining Don King card, and now we have an excellent card featuring a boxing superstar, Fernando Vargas. It's nice to finally see the midwest boxing scene get back in the mainstream boxing stream. Fights fans in this market are getting rewarded for their considerable support of the sweet science.
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