Felix F. ChavezEl Paso Times
When Fernando Vargas Jr. steps into the boxing ring at Southwest University Park, he will look to continue to build on the successful Vargas name in the sport.
Vargas Jr. is an unbeaten prospect with a 14-0 record and 13 knockouts fighting at 154 pounds. He plans to move to 147 pounds. He is the son of former United States Olympian Fernando Vargas, Sr. and brother to fellow professional boxers Amado and Emiliano.
"Boxing means a great deal to our family, the Vargas name means a great deal in the sport," Vargas, Jr. said. "My dad was a legend in the sport. He gave all his heart in the sport, the fans loved him and he fought the best. He's given us the love of the sport."
Emiliano was the first to start boxing at age 10, while Amado and Fernando Jr. played other sports before entering the ring.
"Amado and Fernando, Jr., they decided they wanted to box later in their teenage years," said the elder Vargas, who owns his own gym in Las Vegas, Nev. "I am proud of my kids, I love working with them and heling them get better. They are great sons."
All three have found success like their dad, a world champion who fought greats like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Winky Wright. He fought in the 1996 Olympic Games.
Emiliano is an unbeaten lightweight prospect who fights on the day after Vargas Jr. and is promoted by Top Rank. Amado is a 10-0 featherweight who, like Vargas Jr., is promoted by MarvMation and fights on Saturday, July 6.
"We all encourage each other," Vargas Jr. said. "We believe in one another and we push each other to be the best we can be. I feel I'm making progress as a fighter. I'm a boxer-puncher. I trust the process and I am staying confident in myself. My dd always preaches intelligence first in the ring, and the bravery will follow."
Vargas Sr. takes great pride in his children and this pride increases with each day, due in part to his lack of a positive relationship with his father. In fact, he took his mother's maiden name, Chavez, for a good portion of his youth. But to box as an amateur, he had to use his last name on his birth certificate, which was Vargas.
Later, he rid himself of the middle name Javier and vowed that his family would be proud of the Vargas name.
"I love my family to death and want them to be the best they can be," Vargas Sr. said. "How beautiful would it be if all three of my sons won a world title? I try to give my best to my sons and help them. I've made mistakes, but I do my best. I've been sober for nine years, and I love having my gym as well. My wife Martha has been amazing to all of us. My kids are doing what they want and are finding success. They work hard, they are finding their way in the sport and I will always support them."
Added Vargas Jr.: "My dad gives us so much knowledge and he loves teaching the sport."
Vargas Sr. credits Eduardo Garcia, his trainer, as a father figure to him.
"Eduardo helped me so much, he gave me confidence and guidance," Vargas said. "Going to the La Colonia Youth Boxing Club (Oxnard, California) helped me find direction. I would walk to the gym and then back home. It's where I learned so much."
Vargas, Sr. fought in El Paso in 2001
After losing to Trinidad in December of 2000 in a memorable fight, Vargas Sr. returned to the ring on May 5, 2001, and stopped the venerable Wilfredo Rivera in six rounds at the Don Haskins Center in a fight televised by HBO.
Vargas was knocked down in the second round, but in typical Vargas fashion, he roared back with his no-nonsense approach to pull out the win.
"I remember the fans coming to the airport to greet me and that was a wonderful moment," Vargas, Sr. said. "Fight night was amazing, the arena was loud and had great energy. The fans cheered me as if I had beaten Trinidad. I'll always be appreciative of that."
Friday's fight card
Bouts at the Ballpark gates open at 6 p.m. and fights start at 7 p.m. The fights will be streamed worldwide on DAZN.
Tickets for Bouts at the Ballpark are on sale now at the Southwest University Park Durango Box Office, online atSouthwestUniversityPark.com, and by phone at 915-533-BASE (2273).
More: El Pasoan gives back to boxing El Paso's Bobby Joe Valdez gives back to sport of boxing as a trainer
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
