Fernando Vargas

Could’ve been a goat if his ******ed ass management didn’t throw him in there with a killer in Trinidad when he was 20 years old.

 

it’s 2026, a quick Google search would tell you if he fought Trinidad.

 

And the funny thing about the De La Hoya fight, that Vargas was shopworn and he gave De La Hoya all he could handle until De La Hoya landed that beautiful left hook counter in round 10 and the fight was essentially over.

 

0/10 comeback

technically, I beat you to the bunch, cause I saw the fight the night it happened, have you even seen the fight? Seeing how you asked the forum if they actually ever stepped into the ring together a couple hours ago?

 

I liked Vargas. He was aggressive, fiery, fun to watch - and talented. A very good fighter who probably falls just short of ATG. He was the kind of guy who could push the top fighters close, but probably not beat them. I think it's fair to think he took the Trinidad fight to soon, as I do believe that derailed him to an extent. But boxing is a gamble and it didn't pay off. At least they both had the balls to fight each other. Vargas always had a ton of heart.

 

In my opinion Vargas was a very good fighter, and I always enjoy watching his matches. His aggression and power made it seem like a stoppage finish was always an option. In fact, against almost all the best fighters El Ferocious fought (DLH, Trinidad, and Mosley), the fight ended by stoppage, a shame he was the one who lost. Against another champion he fought, Wright, for me he didn't deserve the win. I had a pretty clear 7-5 for Winky and I would have considered a draw generous for Vargas. Seven rounds in his favor, I don't understand how they came about. Fernando's best win, in my opinion, was the one against Quartey, his last match against Mayorga was a dismal one.

I think Vargas could have been handled better, perhaps he wasn't yet ready for the match against DLH, after the devastating defeat against Trinidad. He also had his weaknesses, especially defensively, in stamina and in ring IQ.

 

Excellent young fighter, iirc he was the youngest champ at his weight at the time. could have had a longer career if he was managed better.
Went in with Trinidad and Oscar at a young age.

Fans can’t be pleased, if you throw a top fighter too deep too soon they get defeats and beating that they and fans can’t get over.
then ppl now complain if a fighter takes time an guides their career better

 

Yea he was kind of in a unique spot before fighting Trinidad. He was a champion, had KOd Yori Boy Campas, beat Winky Wright (controversially if I remember) and Ike Quartey and Raul Marquez, the Trinidad fight was big money.

When I hear he was too young for Trinidad, maybe that's true but because of the circumstances what was he to do? Duck Trinidad and fight lesser guys until that payday was in the rear view?

 

His back is what ruined his career, along with just not being elite.

 

He is good enough to make the IBHOF. If he had his run at 147 or 160 instead of 154 I'd be confident he'd make it. He beat 5 world champions and had over 5 more really good wins.

I don't see it as mismanagement so much as misfortune. Vargas was 22 when he fought Trinidad but he had 5 title defenses. Real title defenses. He'd just beaten Winky Wright. Vargas could have beaten De La Hoya too they didn't exactly set him up to fail there. Vargas was fighting in an incredible era.

Remember Trinidad v De La Hoya in November 1999 had been the most lucrative non HW boxing fight ever. Then Trinidad and De La Hoya come up to 154. Money aside what was Vargas's team supposed to do? If they steered him away people would complain they have him fight them then they ruined him. You're dammed if you do you're dammed if you don't.

Trinidad was clearly going to MW and they could have waited him out. But the other way to look at that is win or lose Trinidads going to be gone and Vargas could become champ again. Which Vargas did do ever so briefly.

You can argue anyone steered towards the title at 21 is being mismanaged but at this point that ship had sailed and everything was going great.

 

He was never going to be better than on the night he fought Tito. And unfortunately Reid fell off before that fight could happen.

 

Vargas was an excellent fighter. The sort of guy who was compelling viewing.