DLH always promised not to fight Vargas even tho Vargas was calling him out and putting him on blast. I found this interview. This is what De la Hoya said when asked why fight Vargas now (2002)
DLH:" Nothing. I am an intelligent fighter. You must be to last in boxing. Trinidad knocked him down 5-6 times, Rivera dropped him. I know he's been soften up."
DLH:" Nothing. I am an intelligent fighter. You must be to last in boxing. Trinidad knocked him down 5-6 times, Rivera dropped him. I know he's been soften up."