Fernando Vargas: "I Can't Leave Boxing Like This"

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In a recent interview with the Knoxville News Sentinel, former junior-middleweight champ Fernando Vargas said that he refuses to leave the sport of boxing on a negative note. After losing back-to-back bouts to Shane Mosley by knockout, Vargas is looking to end his career with a big win.

After the second Mosley loss, Vargas told the paper that he promised both his wife and his mother that he would not fight again, but he later approached them for permission to fight one last time. Talks are ongoing for a clash with Ricardo Mayorga in June, at a catch-weight of 162-pounds. The fight will take place at a venue in Southern California.

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"It's not for money. ... It's not for belts. I'm looking to make this fight for one reason and one reason only - for pride," Vargas said. "My pride may kill me, but I can't leave like this. That's why we're trying to get this fight with Mayorga."

Vargas thinks Mayorga's antics inside and outside the ring will make for an exciting event with plenty of media buzz. But, don't expect Vargas to allow Mayorga to use some of his pre-fight intimidation tactics.

"He is a guy who will talk smack from the beginning," Vargas said. "Believe me, if he acts crazy at the press conference, slapping me on the back on the head like he did Oscar, I will not have that. I will be on my toes. He said I was scared of him when I fought (Javier) Castillejo, and they stripped Castillejo and gave the title to Mayorga."

Vargas says his two losses to Mosley were due to his constant battle to make the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds. At 162, he doesn't see any problems with weight.

"Having to lose all the weight just before the fight affected me a lot," Vargas said. "Fighting at 162, I won't have that problem. I'm looking forward to being ripped and in great shape come June."

Comments

Njord777Wed Mar 21, 2007, 9:41 AM UTC

Fernando Vargas is the epitome of a boxer who fights for pride. He seems to derive his entire ego from the sport and right now I bet he feels deflated and worthless. He was pretty soundly thrashed by a fighter who was considered by many to be washed up- until he proved otherwise by mashing Vargas into the ground. Fernando has every right to go out on his shield. Even if he loses I hope he gets the battle he so desperately needs to go out in. He's given his heart to the sport. Never been accused of ducking fighters or not giving his all. A warrior. I'm not even a fan- I just respect those who give to the sport. He completely deserves to fight until he feels he can give it up.

eazy_masWed Mar 21, 2007, 7:15 AM UTC

We Vargas is stressed out but he has a greater goal from him to win the last fight. i think he will use his boxing ability than once he stored it in the shelf and combian the toe2toe action to move away

maxoridoWed Mar 21, 2007, 5:16 AM UTC

So how does he intend to leave? On a stretcher?

AntonioWed Mar 21, 2007, 5:03 AM UTC

I think he needs to make a Corrales like move up in weight. The weight drain kills him. He might be a better fighter at 168. Anyways, hes still better than Mayorga and will beat him.

ULTIMATEWed Mar 21, 2007, 4:44 AM UTC

after all he has done...fighting at 154 95% of his career...all you can say is he has no real dedication? He was exciting, but he doesnt have dedication thats the truth. The man is only dedicated when he is training for a fight.... am i lying? Hes never been one to watch his weight, always balooning back up between fights only to struggle during training to loose weight, then loosing, or giving a less than stellar performance and him blaming the weight loss or what he went through to loose all that excess FAT (Because make no mistake it was fat that he put on stuffing his face between fights).

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