(AP) - Fernando Vargas is on a strict diet for the junior middleweight fight with Shane Mosley, scheduled for February 25.

The hefty 28-year-old had to drop 39 pounds to reach the 154-pound limit, and he's still three pounds over.

The two-time world champion said he's been training in Ojai, California and focusing on the fight with Mosley, that could be a step toward another title match for the winner.

"I have one person on my mind and that's Shane Mosley," he said.

Natural welterweight

Mosley (41-4, 35 KOs), a three-time world champion and a natural welterweight, is trying to find success at 154 pounds.

This is his first junior middleweight fight since losing twice to Winky Wright in 2004.

The 34-year-old began his professional career at 135 pounds in 1994.

Mosley won twice at 148 pounds last year, and said he weighed 150 pounds during training in Big Bear, California.

Fantasy billing

The two fighters have been fantasy-billed by fans for years.

Both have fought former champ Oscar De La Hoya (37-4). Mosley won twice and Vargas lost decisively, but the pair have never fought each other.

They are part of an odd circle of top fighters, promoters said.

Mosley beat De La Hoya in 2003 and 2000, De La Hoya beat Vargas in 2002, Vargas beat Wright in 1999 and Wright beat Mosley twice in 2004.

"They all fought each other except for Vargas and Mosley," said Golden Boy Promotions publicist Debbie Caplan-Paz, who represents Mosley.

Mosley is the slight 3-2 favorite by Las Vegas bookmakers.

Promoters are banking on the Vargas draw in the Hispanic community to sell some of the 10,000 seats at Mandalay Bay.

Vargas is due to pocket $4.7 million in addition to a share of the pay-per-view proceeds. Mosley is guaranteed a $3 million purse plus a healthy chunk of the TV gate.