By Jake Donovan
The night was originally budgeted as means for Rey Vargas to stay busy while figuring out what the immediate future has in store. Now, his upcoming bout with Dominican Republic's Lucian Gonzalez takes on a whole new dynamic, as his next fight could very well be for a title.
Vargas will serve in the chief support of Saturday's show in Metepec, Mexico, which airs live on Televisa. Headlining the show is a female junior flyweight title fight between Ibeth Zamora and Esmeralda Moreno.
On paper, the showdown with Gonzalez (21-8-2, 5KOs) figures to be a showcase performance for the 24-year old rising super bantamweight. In light of recent events, he now has added incentive to look good, particulalry if he wants to make a run at recently crowned champion Julio Ceja, who climbed off the canvas to knock out Hugo Ruiz in five rounds last weekend in Los Angeles, California.
"It's a matter of time before I get my shot at the world title," believes Vargas (24-0, 20KOs), who is trained by the legendary Nacho Beristain. "I think Ceja did everything he had to do to defeat a very tough opponent like Cuatito and earned the right to be the new champion."
The bout between Ceja and Ruiz was strategically placed on the undercard of Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares, a featherweight clash in which Santa Cruz prevailed by majority decision.
The idea was to build interest in the Ceja-Ruiz winner facing Santa Cruz, who was the super bantamweight champion but at the time undecided as to whether again he'd fight at super bantamweight. He has since confirmed that he will in fact remain at featherweight, which means Ceja is now the recognized WBC super bantamweight champion.
Vargas stands to reap the benefits, as he is the next highest rated contender. He still has to get past Gonzalez, who fights in Mexico for the first time in his career, but is riding a five-fight win streak.
Assuming he prevails, the undefeated contender envisions an all-Mexico world title fight for his next ring appearance.
"I want to raise my hand for his first title defense," Vargas confirmed, not hesitating to call out his countryman. "I know I'm ready for the fight and to win the championship in what would be a war between two punchers that the fans will love."
Jake Donovan
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene