By Frank Lotierzo

A new Fernando Vargas (26-2, 22 KOs) debuted in Chicago's AllState Arena and won a unanimous decision over Spain's Javier Castillejo (58-6-0, 39 KOs). The Vargas went back to his roots and used his boxing skills to win the bout, instead of his usual brawling style of fighting. A huge right from Fernando Vargas sent Castillejo down to the mat in the third round, but the bell saved Castillejo before Vargas was able to follow-up. There were no further knockdowns in the bout as Vargas boxed his way to the finish line. The scores were 97-92, 97-92 and 98-91.

For Vargas, this marks his fourth straight win since losing to rival Oscar De La Hoya in September of 2002. After he lost the WBA junior middleweight title against De La Hoya, Vargas sat out of boxing for 15 months, suffering with a bulging disc in his back and he also tested positive for Steroid use. This resulted in him being fined $100,000 and has caused many boxing observers to speculate whether or not his Steroid use has led to some of his injuries over the last few years.

When his fight with Castillejo was signed, he thought a win would've brought him the WBC junior middleweight title. Only the WBC stripped Castillejo of the title for reasons that to this day haven't been answered with any degree of clarity. Resulting in Vargas' management team filing a law suit against the WBC in New York for monetary damages. The Vargas team claimed that the WBC violated their own administrative policy and Federal Law when they stripped Castillejo for signing to fight him (Vargas) instead of their number one contender Ricardo Mayorga. The Vargas team contended that Mayorga, having never fought as a junior middleweight and just 1-2 in his last three fights, having been knocked out in his last, should've never been the top contender.

With Castillejo being stripped of the title, the WBC declared last weekends junior middleweight bout between Ricardo Mayorga and Michele Piccirello to be for their vacated title. Mayorga won the WBC vacant title posting a 12-round unanimous decision over Piccirello. Mayorga, in an attempt to land a big money fight with Vargas, "called him a coward," and challenged last week. 

The suit filed against the WBC by Vargas amounted to nothing in reality. The only thing that came from it was that the Vargas-Castillejo winner would be the mandatory challenger for Mayorga's title. Because of the WBC's shady ruling, Vargas will probably have to wait a little longer to get his third shot at the junior middleweight title. Worse yet, if Vargas were to fight Mayorga for the title, he may be forced to accept a 25-75 purse-split. Which is not likely since he knows he's the bigger star and draw. Something clearly highlighted by the fact he's now fought 13 times on HBO since turning pro in 1997. Another factor that will discourage Vargas from seeking a title fight is Mayorga was only paid $200,000 for winning the WBC title versus Piccirello last Saturday. Which is one-fifth as much as the $1 million Vargas earned for fighting Castillejo in a title-elimination bout.

Over the last five years, Vargas' reputation and career have been hurt by losses to Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya along with a positive test for Steroid use. However, Vargas may have stabilized his career with the help of new trainer Danny Smith and strength and conditioning coordinator, Robert Ferguson. Now that he's dispatched Javier Castillejo, who had won 21 of his last 22 fights and hadn't lost since De La Hoya out-boxed him June 23, 2001, Vargas is on the cusp of fighting for a world title. Only Fernando Vargas has something the champ Mayorga doesn't, a few options. For Vargas, fighting for the title is actually the lesser of his options.

Thanks to former Vargas opponent and rival Oscar De La Hoya, who said last week that he would definitely be interested in fighting Fernando again. De La Hoya, who hasn't fought since being stopped in his middleweight title bout versus Bernard Hopkins last September, provides Vargas with plenty of leverage over Mayorga.

Although fighter's always talk about their goal being to win the title, money will induce them away from the title as long as there's enough of it. Since Vargas is already a two-time world title holder, you can count on him to follow the money. Something he already somewhat gave away last week when he said, "If you were in my position, would you be eyeing Mayorga or De La Hoya? No Brainer." Which was then reenforced by the Vargas' management team led by Rolando Arellano who said, "We've got bigger fish to fry."

Right now, despite having Don King as his promoter, Ricardo Mayorga needs Fernando Vargas more than Vargas needs him. With Oscar De La Hoya having already said that he'll fight Vargas again, along with having and HBO contract, Vargas is holding the cards. It's a pipe dream for Don King to try and spin things claiming Mayorga's WBC title is a bigger trophy than the millions a rematch with De La Hoya will bring Vargas. But one thing we know for certain, that won't discourage King from saying it.

As Vargas said, if you were him and had the choice of fighting Mayorga for the title, or a chance to get revenge against De La Hoya for about 10-times as much money, what would you do? I know what line I'd be in, that long one starting in front of De La Hoya.

On the undercard, highly respected prospect Rocky Juarez (23-1, 16 KOs) suffered his first career defeat to unheralded Humberto Soto (37-5-2, 21 KOs). Soto used his height, reach advantage and high punch output to outwork Juarez over 12 rounds.

Juarez was never able to get into a rhythm as Soto kept his long jab in the face of Juarez all night long. The veteran Soto showed a solid chin by taking many powerful lefthooks from Juarez. The scores were 114-113, 114-112 and 114-113. Soto lost two points during the twelve round bout for rabbit punches. Soto wins the WBC interim featherweight title and earns the right to face the WBC featherweight champion Injin Chi.