Among the many fighters I rank into the "very good" category. Strong, solid power and technique, he could show good defensive skills at times but proved to be vulnerable to the left hook. I like that he threw short punches and didn't wing his shots. He showed in certain bouts that he could box and brawl. I thought Winky beat him, but at the very least, he was highly competitive with an excellent boxer in Winky.
an above average fighter who couldve been better if his handlers didnt cash out on him too early in his career..
I remember him knocking some dude out then screaming "whos the chump NOW!" with veins sticking out of his neck. Very scary dude in his prime.
One dimensional and lazy guy who loved food and booze more then the sport of boxing. He was at best a gate keeper.
agree that he wasnt rushed but ferocious could take a solid shot. he fought threw that wicked tito left that layed out mw william joppy. prime vargas beats todays entire jmw class. prime winky, too. add norris as well.
That was against Ross Thompson, they had some pre fight beef started by Ross.... that got Vargas pretty fired up for a guy who he was otherwise looking past.
He went over 100 amature fights, to the olympics, fought Ike, Campas, Marquez and Winky without barely flinching at a punches. The Trinidad fight took his punch resistance. If he couldnt take a punch he would have never been able to war with Ike, or gotten to the 12th round against Trinidad, or the 11th against Hoya. But Tito took a huge chunk of it, and Hoya finished what was left. Just imo but fighting Trinidad with barely over 20 fights is rushed by almost anyones standards.
I hate how early his career ended. He STILL isn't that old really. Just about all world class fighters at his current age still fight.