Jessie Vargas Targets Welterweight Title Shot in 2012

By Ryan Burton

Undefeated welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas (17-0) makes his welterweight debut tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas when he faces the rugged veteran Lanardo Tyner. The fight serves as the main event of Showtime's latest edition of their ShoBox series.

The 22-year-old is concentrating on the task at hand but admits that he hopes to get a shot at a world championship by the end of the year.

"I am focused 100% on Tyner but I think I will be ready for a title shot by the end of the year.  That is my goal and that is the plan," Vargas told BoxingScene.com

Vargas is a student of the game and considers himself a throwback fighter. He thinks that there is a shortage of stars in today's era. That is part of the reason that he believes that he is ready for a shot at a title despite having a limited amount of professional experience.
 
"There aren't a lot of great fighter anymore. There aren't the Oscar De La Hoya's, Julio Cesar Chavez's, and Sugar Ray Leonard's anymore. I think I am ready for the big fights now. Fighters used to come up and take big fights at 22 or 23 and were in their primes at 25. I want to be that type of old school fighter," said Vargas.

If Vargas emerges victorious tonight he will next appear in the ring on the televised undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto pay per view mega-fight that takes place May 5th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
 
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