Written by Elliot Worsell
The name Vargas is not uncommon in the sport of boxing, but to Emiliano Vargas it means more than it would to most people. After all, it is not just his last name, but also the achievements of his father Fernando, which is a source of great pride, opportunity and pressure. It's both a blessing and a curse.
Of course, Vargas would dispute this and argue that being the son of a famous fighter can only be a good thing. But history, often a better measure, suggests otherwise. If you look through history, you're sure to find examples of sons who succeeded as famous martial artists, but you're also sure to find examples of people who didn't live up to expectations and ultimately succumbed to the pressure.
“The only pressure I put on myself is how to win,” Vargas said. boxing news He is preparing for his ninth professional match, which will be held in Glendale on March 29th. “I work hard to lose and really give everything to this sport. My body, my mind, and my soul. For years, I've been doing this. I'm an amateur I fought 130 matches and became a seven-time national champion. I did everything the right way as an amateur. I saw how my father did it, right? But now I'm a professional and I'm going to be a world champion. I understand what it takes to get there.”
If that sounds a little biased, it probably is because it is. And perhaps it should be like this. But it also sounds incredibly mature, and the 19-year-old Vargas certainly speaks with confidence and poise that belies both his age and his professional experience. He speaks like someone who's been here before and seen it all. In a sense, this couldn't be further from the truth.
“My father never thought I would box,” he said. “He thought I would pick it up and leave it alone. I was just a chubby kid who liked to eat.
“We opened a boxing gym and one thing led to another. With a few amateur fights I'm starting to take this seriously and winning big tournaments. Now , here we come.
“It's a beautiful dynamic, dude. I love my dad to death. He never had a father, so this is special for him. It's like he's living through my eyes in a way. I wonder how it would have felt if my father had fought and I had watched him lose weight. I know it was a big thing for him, but it was also a big thing for me. I love having that relationship with my dad. There's nothing like winning with the people you love.”
Fernando Vargas (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
If it wasn't enough for Emiliano to follow in his famous father's footsteps, remember that in the case of two-time world champion Fernando, he's trying to emulate someone who won his first world title at a young age . It's hard to believe now, but at a relatively snail's pace for fighters, Vargas knocked out Mexican powerhouse Yoli Boy Campas in seven rounds to win the IBF Light Middleweight Championship. , Vargas had reached whether or not he was of legal drinking age. The following year, he successfully defended the belt with wins over Howard Clark (TKO 4), Raul Marquez (TKO 11), Winky Wright (MD 12), and Ike Quartey (UD 12).
That's not a bad thing for a man in his early 30s, let alone his early 20s. Emiliano, Fernando's youngest son, will be well aware of what a legacy his father has built.
“At the end of the day, I'm on my watch,” he said. “My dad and I may clash about things, but we know that if we fight 14 or 15 times and move up the ranks for one more year, we can fight for a world title in 2025. That’s right around the corner. I know I'm getting there.''Ever since I was little I've dreamed of fighting for a world title and now it's right around the corner. I'm so excited about it and ready to give high-profile performances throughout this year. I know the level I want to reach and I know I have to get through Nelson Hampton (my next opponent) to get there.
“I believe in three things: God, my efforts, and my God-given abilities. I know that all three are in alignment.”
If it's difficult for Emiliano to live up to his father's reputation, just think for a moment what it's like for Fernando. A former combatant with a son, he must have felt conflicted for years. On the one hand, they aspired to follow in his footsteps and carry on the family tradition, and on the other hand, they hoped instead to use the comfort and privileges he provided for something else in their lives. I'm here.
“In the first few spars, I was knocking my opponent face up, and then I saw the blood on my glove and I thought, 'Oh, I like this,'” Vargas said, 8- I looked back at 0(7). “I had one highlight-reel knockout in my amateur career, but it was with 10-ounce gloves and headgear. I always thought the pros were for me, but , I was convinced of it for the first time when I put on the 8-ounce gloves. At first I was like a kid with a new toy, but now I've calmed down a lot. The knockout will come regardless. God If that is what God wants, then God wants it too. If not, then we will make the decision.”
If he can defeat Nelson Hampton on Friday and improve his record to 9-0, Vargas will continue his impressive run and aims to fight six or seven times in 2024. Also, he wants to gradually step out of his father's shadow. He confirms that by 2025 he will be in a position to fight for either the lightweight or super lightweight world title.
There, there's even a chance Vargas could one day clash with fellow American Shakur Stevenson, with whom he already shares the ring, albeit only in sparring, whether at lightweight or super lightweight. Vargas, who was only 15 at the time, gained a lot of confidence from the experience, and he says it left enough of an impression that Stevenson not only remembers it. respect family name.
“Well, let me tell you this: It's a lot for a silver medalist and world champion at the time to be worried about the Vargas brothers,” Emiliano said. “If you look at that you can see how the sparring went. It was a great job. I just went in there with no respect. All the other fighters that were there with him gave him With all due respect, I was running away from this guy. But I went straight to him and put him on the ropes. I was going to work.
“But that's old news. I'm focused on what's on the horizon and the future. If I'm in a position to fight in the same weight class in the future, let's do it.
“I know it's a fight that people probably want to see. But I also know that I need to get some experience first. But he knows me. He knows about the Vargas brothers. You can't deny us. I'm here for everything. Whether it's the 135th division or the 140th division, I'm going.”
Twenty-five years after his father said something similar on the way to his first world title, Emiliano Fernando Vargas wants to be respected and taken seriously. Even better, he wants to be feared.
