When Fernando Vargas Jr. steps into the boxing ring at Southwest University Park, he'll be looking to add to the Vargas legacy of success in the sports world.
Vargas Jr. is an unbeaten prospect with a 14-0 record at 154 pounds with 13 knockouts and plans to move up to 147 pounds. He is the son of former U.S. Olympian Fernando Vargas Sr. and the brother of fellow professional boxers Amado and Emiliano.
“Boxing is very important to our family. The Vargas name is very important in the sports world,” said Vargas Jr. “My dad was a legend in the sports world. He gave his all to the sport, the fans loved him, he fought with the best of them all. He gave us a love of the sport.”
Emiliano was the first to take up boxing at the age of 10, while Amado and Fernando Jr. played other sports before stepping into the ring.
“Amado and Fernando Jr. decided in their late teens that they wanted to pursue boxing,” said the Vargas brothers, who run their own gym in Las Vegas, Nev. “I'm very proud of my boys and love working with them and helping them improve. They're great boys.”
All three have had success like their father, a world champion who competed in the 1996 Olympic Games and fought against such powerhouses as Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Winky Wright.
Emiliano, an unbeaten lightweight prospect promoted by Top Rank, will fight the day after the bout against Vargas Jr. Amado, a 10-0 featherweight fighter also promoted by Marvelmation, will fight on Saturday, July 6.
“We all encourage each other,” said Vargas Jr. “We believe in each other and encourage each other to do our best. I feel like I'm growing as a fighter. I'm a boxer and a puncher. I trust the process and I have confidence in myself. My daughter always preaches that in the ring, intelligence comes first. That's how courage comes.”
Vargas Sr. is very proud of his children, and this pride grows every day, especially since he did not have a good relationship with his father. In fact, he spent most of his youth under his mother's maiden name, Chavez, but had to use the surname Vargas on his birth certificate in order to box as an amateur.
He then dropped his middle name, Javier, and vowed to make his family proud of the name Vargas.
“I love my family dearly and want the best for them,” Vargas said. “It would be amazing if all three of my boys won world titles. I want the best for them and try to help them. I've made mistakes but I try my best. I've been sober for nine years and I love the gym. My wife, Martha, has been great to all of us. My kids are successful at what they want to do. They work hard and they're finding their way in sports. I will always support them.”
Vargas Jr. added: “My dad has given us so much knowledge and he loves teaching sports.”
Vargas Sr. regards his trainer, Eduardo Garcia, as a father figure.
“Eduardo helped me a lot. He gave me confidence and guidance,” Vargas said. “Going to La Colonia Youth Boxing Club (in Oxnard, Calif.) helped me find direction. I would walk to the gym and then walk back home. That's where I learned a lot.”
Vargas Sr. fought in El Paso in 2001.
After losing to Trinidad in a memorable bout in December 2000, Vargas Sr. returned to the ring on May 5, 2001, defeating renowned boxer Wilfredo Rivera in six rounds in an HBO-televised bout at the Don Haskins Center.
Vargas was knocked down in the second round, but fought back with his signature no-nonsense approach to take the fight to the win.
“I remember the fans coming to pick me up at the airport and it was an amazing moment,” said Vargas Sr. “Fight night was amazing. The arena was loud and full of energy. The fans were cheering as if I had beaten Trinidad and I will always be grateful for that.”
Friday's match card
Gates to the ballpark open at 6pm and the match kicks off at 7pm. The match will be streamed worldwide on DAZN.
Tickets for “Bouts at the Ballpark” are on sale now at the Southwest University Park Durango Box Office, online at SouthwestUniversityPark.com and by phone at 915-533-BASE (2273).
Read more: El Paso resident gives back to boxingEl Paso's Bobby Joe Valdez gives back to boxing as a trainer
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com or @Fchavezeptimes on X.
