Who wins this interesting match up? Would Vargas be able to put enough punishment on Lara to win by decision or would Lara's defense and movement be too much for Vargas?
Vargas would win. Lara's very skilled and talented, but one dimensional. I know, it's weird to think of a boxer as one dimensional - it's a labeled usually reserved for punchers/brawlers, but no, boxers can be one dimensional as well. Nando was effective against southpaws, and I see him able to score on Lara with his right hand lead, and punish him with body shots. Lara did have the power to hurt Vargas, but I don't think you're gonna get rid of Nando throwing only 1-2s. Lara would get outfought and outwilled.
I actually think Lara would win in a close decision, although the judges & many others may not see it that way. I would say I have a bias here, I really rate Lara, I thought he beat Canelo on the night of their fight and have since scored it a draw. Personally I have never rated Vargas that highly, but I wasn’t old enough to have lived through his era so my view point may be skewed. I think he lost to Wright albeit close, so apart from that I don’t think he beat a fighter as good as Lara apart from Quartey, but even then I’m not convinced he’s as good as Lara. Maybe if I’d have observed the era I’d see it a differently IDK.
It would be a point or two either way. Lara was better, but never learned how to force the judges to score in his favor. Vargas was somewhat of a second rate Canelo, but he might increase his punch output to make up for things not going his way, and that could keep him in the fight.
This isn't true. Lara was a good infighter and showed it against Hurd; he had to bc his legs got worse with age. I thought he beat Hurd, but he blew it by getting knocked down in the 12th, much like he blew it by failing to engage against Canelo j the late rounds.
Vargas isn't necessarily viewed objectively by people who were watching boxing back then. He had a ton of HBO hype and was totally juiced against Oscar. People also like that he gave Tito a great fight, but ultimately he fought stupidly.
Fair point, for me he just falls under the category of he lost to every very good/great fighter he faced (considering I thought Wright won their fight). Maybe comparing him to Jeff Lacy is harsh, but I definitely think he bridges some kind of gap between HBO hype job/exciting and accessible fighter & a solid champion. Probably closer to the later
Vargas UD. Brings his work-rate & aggression that sees him to decision victory. Lara didn't have enough fire power to keep him off. Close fight.
