The fight goes the distance. I think Vargas would edge out a hard-fought decision here, given that Benitez would be above his best weight, and would tire late IMO. I could also see Benitez taking a decision as well.
That Benitez would have no trouble at all with Vargas, who's not of the same class as Benitez, or any of the other guys who starched him, except maybe Mayorga, it's possible that an earlier Vargas would have beaten Ricardo Mayorga. Benitez, who had no trouble with Duran would have boxed Vargas; ears off and would have kept the "radar" on and wouldn't have been hit by anything meaningful. An easy 15 round decision for Wilfredo Benitez.
Its more than possible. A prime Vargas WOULD have beaten Mayorga. Vargas had two feet in the grave when he fought Mayorga, and still managed to make it a close fight. Prime-for-prime Nando woulda beat the crap outta Ricardo. I agree with the rest of your post though.
Oh yes, Vargas would have definitely have beaten him..I was just in an overly generous mood and gave Mayorga the benefit of a doubt, but thanks for correcting me on that by being more specific.