By Jake Donovan

Rey Vargas kicked off his 2015 campaign in grand style, battering Argentina's Nestor Paniagua into submission inside of two rounds Saturday evening in Ixtapa, Mexico.

The fight was the type of statement Vargas needed, regarding his plans for the best in the 122 lb. division. The 24-year old spent much of fight week calling for a showdown with countryman and unbeaten titlist Leo Santa Cruz, insisting that he's ready right now.

Most observers familiar with his career suspect a bit more seasoning is required, but you can't blame the unbeaten prospect for wanting to advance through the ranks in a hurry. Well-schooled and eager to catch the titlists while still in the division, Vargas showed poise and power in just four minutes of action.

Paniagua barely beat the count after being dropped in the opening round of the contest. The 35-year old was probably better off staying on the canvas, as his night only grew worse. Vargas went on the attack in round two, with a body shot setting up the fight-ending rally. Paniagua (25-8-2, 17KOs) was pinned in a corner and in bad shape before a cornerman literally through in the towel to stop the contest.

The official time was 1:16 of round two. 

Vargas improves to 23-0 (20KOs) with the win, one he hopes is among his last as a prospect before seeking out big game. 

Opening the show, Marcos Reyes survived a knockdown and brief scare to get past battle-tested veteran David Lopez. 

Reyes (33-2, 24KOs) was dropped in round two, but dusted himself off to outbox the 37-year old Lopez (41-15-1, 23KOs) and take a unanimous decision in their eight-round bout.

The win was was much needed for Reyes, who came up short in a hard-fought 10-round decision loss to Abraham Han last October. The loss took place on the undercard of countryman and stablemate Marco Antonio Rubio getting drilled in two rounds by Gennady Golovkin in Carson, California.

Both bouts aired live on Televisa in Mexico. The show served as the 2015 season premiere of Televisa's Sabado de Corona boxing series.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox