Rey Vargas Ready For Paniagua, Gunning For Santa Cruz
Jan 23, 2015 • 5:18 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Rey Vargas and Nestor Paniagua are locked and loaded for their headliner in Mexico City, which tops the 2015 season premiere of Televisa's Sabado de Corona boxing series.
Both fighters easily came within the 122 lb. super bantamweight limit. Vargas (22-0, 19KOs) came in at a ripped 121.25 lb., while Argentina's Paniagua was a lean and ready 121 lb.
All eyes are on the Nacho Beristain-trained Vargas, who has designs to take over the loaded super bantamweight division this year.
Saturday's bout marks a step up in class for the 24-year old from Guadalajara, though a challenge for which he believes he's firmly ready.
"This is the first step towards the path that will lead to the WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz," Vargas insists.
The well-traveled Paniagua (25-7-2, 17KOs)—riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak—has fought around the world but performs in Mexico for just the second time in his career; his lone other ring appearance in country came 12 years ago.
In the co-feature, popular local attraction Lourdes Juarez (6-2, 1KO) takes on ring novice Jesalyn Reza (0-1, 0KOs) in a clash scheduled for six two-minute rounds. Both fighters weighed in right at the 108 lb. junior flyweight limit.
Both bouts air live on Televisa (Saturday, 10:35 pm local time).
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
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
