Fernando Vargas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fernando Vargas
Vargas in 2005
Statistics
Real name	Fernando Javier Vargas
Nickname(s)	El Feroz The Aztec Warrior Ferocious
Rated at	Light middleweight Super middleweight
Height	5 ft 10 in
Reach	74 in
Born	(1977-12-07) December 7, 1977 (age 47) Oxnard, California, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	31
Wins	26
Wins by KO	22
Losses	5
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  United States Pan American Games Bronze 1995 Mar del Plata Light welterweight

Fernando Javier Vargas (born December 7, 1977) is an American former professional boxer. He competed from 1997 to 2007. He was a two-time world champion in the light middleweight division. He held the IBF title from 1998 to 2000. He also held the WBA title from 2001 to 2002. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal. This was in the light welterweight division at the 1995 Pan American Games. He also reached the second round of the welterweight bracket at the 1996 Olympics.

Vargas is well-known for his exciting rivalries. He had big fights against Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Ricardo Mayorga.

Fernando Vargas: Early Boxing Years

In his younger days, Fernando Vargas had an amazing amateur boxing record. He won 100 fights and only lost 5! In 1992, he won the 132-pound championship at the Junior Olympics Box-Offs. He also placed second at the Junior Olympics that year.

Winning the Triple Crown

In 1993, Vargas achieved something special. He won the "triple crown" of amateur boxing. This included the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, the Junior Olympics, and the Junior Olympics International tournament. The next year, he became even more famous. He won the 132-pound gold medal at the Olympic Festival. He also won the U.S. Junior Championships. He became the youngest boxer ever to win the U.S. Championships (Seniors).

Olympic Dreams and Turning Pro

In 1995, Vargas was chosen for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. He competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He won his first fight against Tengiz Meskhadze. However, he lost a close decision in his second fight.

Vargas planned to become a professional boxer in November 1996. But he broke his right hand during training. He worked hard on his recovery. Within five months, he was ready for his first professional fight.

Key Amateur Achievements

• Won the 132-lb Junior Olympics Box-Offs in 1992.
• Won the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, Junior Olympics, and Junior Olympics International tournament in 1993.
• Won the 132-lb gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1994.
• Became the youngest boxer ever to win the U.S. Championships (Seniors) in 1994.
• Won a Bronze Medal at the 1995 Pan American Games.
• Competed in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team.

Fernando Vargas: Professional Boxing Career

Fernando Vargas started his professional career on March 25, 1997. He quickly defeated Jorge Morales in just 56 seconds. He won his next five fights very fast. In his first six fights, he spent only eight rounds in total. By the time he fought for his first world championship, he had won all 14 of his fights by knockout.

Becoming a World Champion

Vargas won his first world title in 1998. He knocked out Yori Boy Campas in seven rounds. This made him the IBF light middleweight champion. He successfully defended his title throughout 1999. He had big wins against Howard Clarke, Raúl Márquez, Winky Wright, and Ike Quartey.

Big Fights and Challenges

Vargas faced some of the biggest names in boxing. These fights were often very exciting and tough.

Trinidad vs. Vargas: A Tough Loss

In 2000, Vargas lost his IBF title to Félix Trinidad. Vargas was knocked down twice in the first round. But he fought back bravely, even knocking Trinidad down in the fourth round. The fight went all the way to the 12th and final round. Trinidad eventually won by knockout.

De La Hoya vs. Vargas: A Huge Showdown

On September 14, 2002, Vargas fought Oscar De La Hoya. This was a huge fight to unify the light middleweight championship. The Mandalay Bay Events Center was packed. About one million people watched the fight on pay-per-view.

In the early rounds, Vargas pushed De La Hoya against the ropes. He landed strong punches to the head and body. But as the fight went on, Vargas got tired. De La Hoya's speed took over. De La Hoya hurt Vargas in the 10th round. Then, in the 11th round, he knocked Vargas down with a left hook. De La Hoya stopped the fight moments later with a series of punches.

After this fight, Vargas faced a suspension. He was suspended for nine months and fined $100,000.

The Comeback Trail

Even after his challenges, Fernando remained a popular boxer. He was known for signing many autographs for his fans. After winning against Fitz Vanderpool in July 2003, he shouted "I love you guys!" to his supporters.

Vargas continued his comeback. In December, he won by knockout against Tony Marshall. During that fight, Vargas hurt his back. Doctors suggested surgery, but Vargas chose to heal his back without it. This meant he was out of action for almost two years. But on March 26, 2005, he returned to boxing. He won a ten-round decision against Ray Joval.

In August 2005, he fought Javier Castillejo. Vargas knocked Castillejo down in the third round. Vargas seemed to break his right hand during the fight. But he still won by a ten-round decision.

Mosley vs. Vargas: Two Epic Battles

On February 25, 2006, Vargas fought Sugar Shane Mosley. It was a very close fight. Vargas's left eye became very swollen. The referee stopped the fight in the 10th round to protect Vargas. Mosley won by technical knockout (TKO). At the time of the stoppage, two judges had Mosley winning. One judge had Vargas winning. After the fight, Vargas said he wanted a rematch. He felt the fight was stopped too early.

The highly anticipated rematch happened on July 15, 2006. This time, Vargas was stopped in the 6th round by TKO. Mosley landed a big left hook that sent Vargas to the floor. Vargas got up, but he was unsteady. Mosley then landed more punches, and the referee stopped the fight. Vargas was beaten and disoriented.

Showdown with Ricardo Mayorga

On May 13, 2007, it was announced that Vargas would fight Ricardo Mayorga. This fight was for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title. The fight was delayed because Vargas had a severe iron deficiency. Doctors said he needed treatment before fighting. When the fight finally happened, it was at 162 pounds. Vargas had said that fighting at lower weights was too hard on his body.

Vargas said this would be his last fight, no matter the result. He warned Mayorga not to insult him. At their first press conference, Mayorga said some offensive things and tried to slap Vargas. Vargas immediately reacted with punches, and a brawl broke out between their teams. Order was quickly restored.

The fight took place on November 23, 2007. Mayorga defeated Vargas by a majority decision. Vargas was knocked down in the 1st and 11th rounds. After the fight, Mayorga apologized to Vargas, and they made up. Fernando Vargas officially announced his retirement soon after.

Cancelled Return to Boxing

In 2011, there were plans for Fernando Vargas to return to boxing. He was scheduled to fight Henry Buchanan. However, the fight was cancelled for reasons that were not made public.

Fernando Vargas: Life Outside the Ring

Fernando Vargas has also been involved in acting and reality television.

Acting Career

Vargas had a role in the 2006 crime drama film Alpha Dog. He played a character named Tiko "TKO" Martinez. He also appeared as a guest star on the television show Moesha. This was in the season two episode called "Mama Said Knock You Out."

Reality Television Series

In 2014, Vargas and his family starred in a reality show. It was on the Mun2 television station and was called Welcome to Los Vargas. He also took part in a cooking reality contest. This was on Telemundo and was called Top Chef Celebrity.

Professional Boxing Record Summary

Images for kids

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  Vargas in 2005

See also

In Spanish: Fernando Vargas (boxeador) para niños

• List of Mexican boxing world champions