Was Fernando Vargas that great?

Yeah, he was. He beat a young Winky Wright and an Ike Quartey who was just coming off what most believe was a victory over a prime Oscar de la Hoya. He was a talented boxer-puncher with an above-average chin and defense, two attributes that were tested in his fight against Trinidad, which many people say "ruined" him. Even after two first-round knockdowns, in the 4th he appeared to be on his way to KOing Tito, who resorted to two nasty low blows to get Vargas off him and recoup. I hate to use excuses, but if Tito had not done that, Vargas MIGHT have won. Even with that, Tito's face was busted up in the end, and he said it was his toughest fight. Beating Winky, Ike, and giving Tito his toughest fight, all before the age of 23, made him a great fighter once in my eyes. Most objective people know Vargas lost that fight to Wright. Vargas was the HBO house fighter. You also conveniently left out that Quartey was inactive for almost 2 years before he fought Delahoya. After that fight he was inactive for another year and 2 months. You know,details. To me, the definition of a great fighter is oner who either dominated his own division, consistently beat A level competition with no controversy, or moves up in weight and wins other titles. Vargas did neither. There is no justification in calling him a "great" fighter.

Vargas lost all his biggest fights. His only wins were against Quartey,and a debatable decision to Wright. DLH's biggest win was Vargas, because besides that DLH lost all his biggest fights (Trinidad,Mosley 2x,Hopkins,PBF)

Many people say that throwing him to the lions (especially Tito) at such a young age ruined him, and there may be some truth in that, but the fact is, he was SO good that there was not any reason to assume he was not ready for them. O no doubt I think he was ready, but not ready for soo many so quick. He shold have gotten a chance to really work in the gym and on his Boxing skills. He was never a great defensive fighter, and this could have really been worked on. Evenin the Winky fight he was hit with some bombs, and Wink isn't known for throwing them too often. I think after watching that fight I knew that if he had gotten in the ring with a real banger he would be in trouble, how about you on that?!?! Also when I say they threw him in, I dont literally mean it, I know Fernando wanted the best, thats the kinda guy he is. BUT I do think that they took his skill for granted, and with more work, like I said he'd be a shoe in for the HOF and still be fighting. Its just a decision that I think a lot of ppl look back on and say you know maybe we shouldn't have put him in with soo many greats so soon....Ya know?!

His win over Ike Quartey was an impressive accomplishment before he fought De La Hoya for the title. The Quartey fight was an IBF title fight and was fought at the level of a quality title fight. Between those two fights he was punished in a brave first loss to Felix Trinidad. The De La Hoya loss seriously hurt Vargas' confidence and momentum. He ain't much IMO.

Many people say that throwing him to the lions (especially Tito) at such a young age ruined him, and there may be some truth in that, but the fact is, he was SO good that there was not any reason to assume he was not ready for them.

In his prime he was great! after only 13 fights he become only the 2nd man to beat campus tko'ing him, stoped former ibf champ raul marquez then he beat winky wright, in a close fight i had vargas winning by about 2 rounds, also the ring scored the fight for vargas. He then beat ike quartey looking much better doing it then oscar did. Also beat former world champ castiljo, and was on his way to beating mosley before his eye blew up like a golf ball. So trust me the man beat 6 world champions and was in 3 classic battle's against oscar, trinidad and winky. A true mexican Legend Yeah that was burtal to watch, it looked more like a softball when it was all said it done. Ive seen in like probably 5-7 times not and I always have Shane ahead by 1 point 86-85 I believe, but Vargas is always seemingly comin on stronger and stronger in the later rounds. It too bad they have to stop it, but IMO it was a ver good stoppage!

Yes an no IMO. Fernando had some really bad management IMO who kinda threw him in there with too many greats way to soon in his career. At 154 he was an animal. He possessed great power, and the ability to sustain a determined and great attack over a 12 round period, and he was a relentless fighter, so that should tell you how good of shape he was in early in his career. He really showed his true skill against Campas in 98 winning the IBF title, he forced him to quit on his stool, and really showed his ability to put his power shots together. @ fights later, he took on Winky, which in my view Winky won this fight, and this was a real war that was fought in the pocket the ENTIRE night with both men really landed big shots. Watch thios fight if you havent seen it it was a war. He was plagued by injury throughout his career, and its been well documented with his Back and what not. It I think it didn;t allow him to really use his legs that much so instead, he fought on the inside with bigger punchers like Trinidad, who really beta up Vargas pretty bad. Even in the Quartey fight, he stayed in the pocket and took some big blows, another great fight that I would say DEF watch. After the DLH fight, I think he was done. He really really took a beating in that fight, and his corner should not have let that go as long as it did. After this he was never the same, continued to have injuries throughout his career. I mean Mosley KOed him in the 7th round, a former Lightweight titlist who was fighting 3 weight classes higher at 154. Although it really was a perfect left hook that Koed him. As far as ATG ior HOF status. It sreally hard to say. I think he will be regarded as a good solid fighter in a few years, but I dont see him being in the HOF. He really possessed great skills but like i said he fought Campas, Winky, Trinidad, Quartey and DLH all before the age of 25. Something that is unheard of in modern day boxing, where a fighter that young is put up against Elite fighters like this. I think if his team had kept him under raps a lil longer, allowed him to grow as a fighter, and not throw him into the fire so too speak, he'd DEF be fighting today, and we would possibly be talking about an ATG and def a shoe in to the HOF....... Great Thread! Great post man. Very, very informative. Thanks.

Yeah, he was. He beat a young Winky Wright and an Ike Quartey who was just coming off what most believe was a victory over a prime Oscar de la Hoya. He was a talented boxer-puncher with an above-average chin and defense, two attributes that were tested in his fight against Trinidad, which many people say "ruined" him. Even after two first-round knockdowns, in the 4th he appeared to be on his way to KOing Tito, who resorted to two nasty low blows to get Vargas off him and recoup. I hate to use excuses, but if Tito had not done that, Vargas MIGHT have won. Even with that, Tito's face was busted up in the end, and he said it was his toughest fight. Beating Winky, Ike, and giving Tito his toughest fight, all before the age of 23, made him a great fighter once in my eyes. Thanks man. Wow, that is impressive... before he was 23? Holy shit.

In his prime he was great! after only 13 fights he become only the 2nd man to beat campus tko'ing him, stoped former ibf champ raul marquez then he beat winky wright, in a close fight i had vargas winning by about 2 rounds, also the ring scored the fight for vargas. He then beat ike quartey looking much better doing it then oscar did. Also beat former world champ castiljo, and was on his way to beating mosley before his eye blew up like a golf ball. So trust me the man beat 6 world champions and was in 3 classic battle's against oscar, trinidad and winky. A true mexican Legend

I'm being serious. I didnt watch much boxing back when he was in his prime. Was he really that great? I hear great things about him but I've only seen a couple of his fights in their entirety. Yes an no IMO. Fernando had some really bad management IMO who kinda threw him in there with too many greats way to soon in his career. At 154 he was an animal. He possessed great power, and the ability to sustain a determined and great attack over a 12 round period, and he was a relentless fighter, so that should tell you how good of shape he was in early in his career. He really showed his true skill against Campas in 98 winning the IBF title, he forced him to quit on his stool, and really showed his ability to put his power shots together. @ fights later, he took on Winky, which in my view Winky won this fight, and this was a real war that was fought in the pocket the ENTIRE night with both men really landed big shots. Watch thios fight if you havent seen it it was a war. He was plagued by injury throughout his career, and its been well documented with his Back and what not. It I think it didn;t allow him to really use his legs that much so instead, he fought on the inside with bigger punchers like Trinidad, who really beta up Vargas pretty bad. Even in the Quartey fight, he stayed in the pocket and took some big blows, another great fight that I would say DEF watch. After the DLH fight, I think he was done. He really really took a beating in that fight, and his corner should not have let that go as long as it did. After this he was never the same, continued to have injuries throughout his career. I mean Mosley KOed him in the 7th round, a former Lightweight titlist who was fighting 3 weight classes higher at 154. Although it really was a perfect left hook that Koed him. As far as ATG ior HOF status. It sreally hard to say. I think he will be regarded as a good solid fighter in a few years, but I dont see him being in the HOF. He really possessed great skills but like i said he fought Campas, Winky, Trinidad, Quartey and DLH all before the age of 25. Something that is unheard of in modern day boxing, where a fighter that young is put up against Elite fighters like this. I think if his team had kept him under raps a lil longer, allowed him to grow as a fighter, and not throw him into the fire so too speak, he'd DEF be fighting today, and we would possibly be talking about an ATG and def a shoe in to the HOF....... Great Thread!

Yeah, he was. He beat a young Winky Wright and an Ike Quartey who was just coming off what most believe was a victory over a prime Oscar de la Hoya. He was a talented boxer-puncher with an above-average chin and defense, two attributes that were tested in his fight against Trinidad, which many people say "ruined" him. Even after two first-round knockdowns, in the 4th he appeared to be on his way to KOing Tito, who resorted to two nasty low blows to get Vargas off him and recoup. I hate to use excuses, but if Tito had not done that, Vargas MIGHT have won. Even with that, Tito's face was busted up in the end, and he said it was his toughest fight. Beating Winky, Ike, and giving Tito his toughest fight, all before the age of 23, made him a great fighter once in my eyes.

He was good but never great. His chin was a little on the weak side. His biggest win was over a well past his prime Ike Quartey and I thought he lost to Winky Wright. Thanks. I've also heard that Oscar's biggest win was over Vargas. How is that possible?

Good I'd would say yes. Great No.

I'm being serious. I didnt watch much boxing back when he was in his prime. Was he really that great? I hear great things about him but I've only seen a couple of his fights in their entirety. He was good but never great. His chin was a little on the weak side. His biggest win was over a well past his prime Ike Quartey and I thought he lost to Winky Wright.

I do know he was too green for Tito. yup... that was a big mistake.... he could have been great... but that move killed him...

he was... hasta que pelio con el de cupey... :boxing: I do know he was too green for Tito.

He was a good fighter with quick hands, good power, good boxing ability. Great he was not his downfall was he was moved too fast and fought a prime Trinidad.

who has Vargas beat he won a debatable decision against Winky and got spanked by Tito and Oscar ,Shane ,