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Francisco Vargas (Mexican boxer)

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Vargas and the second or maternal family name is Peláez.
Francisco Vargas
Born
Francisco Javier Vargas Peláez

(1984-12-25) December 25, 1984 (age 39)
Mexico City, Mexico
Other namesEl Bandido ("The Bandit")
Statistics
Weight(s)Super featherweight
Height173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Reach178 cm (70 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins27
Wins by KO19
Losses4
Draws2
No contests0

Francisco Javier Vargas Peláez (born December 25, 1984) is a Mexican professional boxer, also known for his nickname "El Bandido." As an amateur, Vargas represented Mexico at the 2008 Olympics as a lightweight. He held the WBC super featherweight title between 2015 and 2017.[1]

Amateur career

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At the 2006 Central American Games, Vargas lost to eventual winner Yordenis Ugás 7:14.[2] At the 2007 Pan American Games, Vargas competed at featherweight. He lost to David Souza. At the first qualifier for the 2008 Olympics, Vargas was edged out by Juan Cuellar. At the second qualifier, the 23-year-old beat Franz Mamani and the Canadian southpaw Ibrahim Kamal.[3] Vargas was then outpointed by Brazilian Éverton Lopes 6:11 but shut out Alexis Folleco 5:0[3] becoming the third Mexican boxer to qualify, after Arturo Santos Reyes and Óscar Valdez. At the Olympics, Vargas defeated Jean de Dieu Soloniaina in his first bout but lost in the round of 16 to Georgian Popescu.

Professional career

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Early career

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Vargas made his professional debut in March 2010, beating Daniel Calzada by unanimous decision.

In March 2012, Vargas signed a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions.[4] “I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Golden Boy Promotions family,” said Vargas. “I know they have the resources to lead me to championship level and expand my fan base throughout Mexico and the United States. I look forward to making them proud.” “It’s an honor to add another former Olympian to the Golden Boy Promotions roster,” said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy. “Boxing will never grow if we don’t keep bringing in new blood, and I’m confident Francisco will be an important player in the sport for many years to come.”

On March 31, 2012, Vargas made his debut under the Golden Boy banner with a third-round TKO of Carlos Martinez, kicking off a busy year that saw him add six more wins to his record. In January 2013, Vargas faced veteran Ira Terry, knocking him out in just two rounds. On May, Vargas stopped Cristian Arrazola in three rounds.[5] Vargas stepped up to the plate once again on August 9, 2013, when he met fellow unbeaten fighter Brandon Bennett for the NABF and WBO Intercontinental super featherweight titles. Vargas won both belts by nearly shutting Bennett out over 10 rounds.[6]

On December 13, 2013, Vargas won all 10 rounds in a decision victory over formerworld title challenger Jerry Belmontes.[7] On March 8, he made his first appearance of 2014, as he defeated Puerto Rico's Abner Cotto via unanimous decision.[8] From there, Vargas fought on the Canelo Álvarez vs. Erislandy Lara undercard and delivered a thrilling KO victory over Puerto Rican legend and former world champion Juan Manuel Lopez.[9] He followed that up with another knockout in Mexico against Genaro Camargo.[10] In 2015, Vargas headlined his first HBO event against prospect Will Tomlinson in San Antonio on HBO Latino. Vargas made scored his third knockout victory in a row with an eighth-round TKO.[11]

WBC super featherweight champion

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Serving as the co-main event to the highly anticipated Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Álvarez event on November 21, 2015, Vargas faced WBC super featherweight champion Takashi Miura. Miura and Vargas stole the show and received unanimous "Fight of the Year" nods from Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Bleacher Report, USA TODAY’s Boxing Junkie, The Sweet Science and Boxing Scene.[12] The action packed fight featured knockdowns, great performances and a lot of heart from two of boxing’s’ most respected warriors. Vargas claimed the world title via ninth-round technical knockdown over Miura after suffering a knockdown during the fourth round. ESPN.com called the fight “the most dramatic comeback since the late Diego Corrales used a legendary 10th-round rally to stop Jose Luis Castillo and unify lightweight titles in 2005."[13]

It was announced in March 2016 that Vargas would be defending his title on June 4 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California against former featherweight world champion Orlando Salido. A rematch clause was attached to the contract in case Salido defeated Vargas.[14] In what was described as another "Fight of the Year" candidate, Salido and Vargas fought to a 12-round majority draw. Two judges had it 114-114 whilst the third had it 115-113 for Vargas, who as a result retained his WBC title. Both fighters thought they had done enough to take the decision. The fight was shown on HBO’s Boxing After Dark which averaged 833,000 viewers and hit a peak of 954,000 viewers.[15][16]

On December 2, 2016, it was announced that Vargas and Miguel Berchelt would meet on January 29, 2017, at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California for the Vargas' WBC title.[17] Vargas and Berchelt traded punches in the early rounds, with cuts from Vargas' previous fights with Takashi Miura and Orlando Salido re-opening. On the latter rounds, Vargas started to slowly fade and Berchelt started to dominate the defending champion. The referee stopped the fight with 2:19 minutes elapsed in the round 11. According to CompuBox Stats, Vargas landed 330 of 1032 punches thrown (32%) and Berchelt landed 430 of his 947 thrown (45%). Vargas stated he lost the fight due to cuts and would eventually want a rematch.[18][19][20]

Comeback trail

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In October 2017, the WBC ordered an eliminator between Vargas and Jhonny González, the winner will become the mandatory challenger to the WBC's super featherweight champion.[21] Gonzalez took a stay-busy fight on November prior to facing Vargas.[22] It was later announced that Vargas would face Miguel Román on December, with the fight backing up a WBC title bout between Salido and Berchelt.[23] After it was announced that Berchelt would be unable to compete on that date due to a hand injury, negotiations for a rematch between Salido and Vargas started.[24] On October 30, Ringtv announced that Salido would fight Román, leaving Vargas with no opponent.[25] Days later it was announced that Vargas would be fighting Stephen Smith on December 9 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Nevada.[26] Vargas fought hard to defeat Smith via a 9th round technical decision. The fight was stopped at the end of round 9 due to Smith suffering a bad cut to his ear. After 9 rounds, the judges scored the fight 89–82, 88–83, and 88-83 all in favour of Vargas.[27][28]

On March 14, 2017, Vargas announced he continue his comeback trail on April 12 at Fantasy Springs Casino in California against Rod Salka (24-4, 4 KOs), who was known for his gross mismatch against Danny García in 2014. The bout was scheduled to take place live on ESPN.[29][30] In front of 1,456 fans in attendance, Vargas continued his comeback trail in defeating Salka, forcing him to retire after round 6. A solid combination put Salka down in round 5. Vargas was working with trainer Joel Díaz for the first time. Vargas started the fight as he always does, beginning on the front foot throwing punches. Salka's success came when he began to counter Vargas for any shots he missed. Vargas continued with his aggressive which eventually was too much for Salka. CompuBox stats showed that Vargas landed 112 of 415 punches thrown (27%) and Salka landed 75 of his 412 thrown (18%).[31][32]

His next fight was against Miguel Berchelt, a rematch for the WBC super featherweight title, which Berchelt had won off of Vargas two years before. Vargas fought well and did provide a challenge for Berchelt, but in the end Berchelt was just the sharper and the fresher fighter. Following the end round six, after Vargas had taken a lot of punishment, his corner threw in the towel.[33]

Vargas won his comeback fight against Ezequiel Aviles. Vargas won via technical decision in the ninth round, after the fight was stopped because of cut on Vargas, caused by a headbutt. The scores at the time of stoppage were 98–94, 98-94 and 96-97 for Vargas, who was announced the winner of the fight.[34]

Professional boxing record

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34 fights 27 wins 5 losses
By knockout 19 3
By decision 8 2
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
33 Loss 27–5–2 Mexico Guillermo Avila Godinez SD 10 Nov 18, 2022 Mexico Centro Civico de Ecatepec, Ecatepec, Mexico
33 Loss 27–4–2 United States Jose Valenzuela KO 1 (10), 1:25 Apr 16, 2022

United States AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas U.S.

32 Loss 27–3–2 Mexico Isaac Cruz UD 10 Jun 19, 2021

United States Toyota Center, Houston, Texas U.S.

31 Win 27–2–2 Venezuela Otto Gamez TKO 3 (10), 1:08 Nov 20, 2020 Mexico Plaza Las Americas, Mexico City, Mexico
30 Win 26–2–2 Mexico Ezequiel Avilés TD 9 (10) Oct 19, 2019 Mexico Gimnasio Rodrigo M. Quevedo, Chihuahua, Mexico
29 Loss 25–2–2 Mexico Miguel Berchelt RTD 6 (12), 3:00 May 11, 2019 United States Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. For WBC super featherweight title
28 Win 25–1–2 United States Rod Salka RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Apr 12, 2018 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
27 Win 24–1–2 United Kingdom Stephen Smith TD 9 (10), 1:31 Dec 9, 2017 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
26 Loss 23–1–2 Mexico Miguel Berchelt KO 11 (12), 2:19 Jan 28, 2017 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Lost WBC super featherweight title
25 Draw 23–0–2 Mexico Orlando Salido MD 12 Jun 4, 2016 United States StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
24 Win 23–0–1 Japan Takashi Miura TKO 9 (12), 1:31 Nov 21, 2015 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBC super featherweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 Australia Will Tomlinson TKO 8 (10), 1:30 Mar 12, 2015 United States Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Retained NABF and WBO International super featherweight title
22 Win 21–0–1 Mexico Genaro Camargo KO 8 (8), 1:12 Dec 13, 2014 Mexico Salón Las Palmas, Pesquería, Mexico Retained NABF and WBO International super featherweight title
21 Win 20–0–1 Puerto Rico Juan Manuel López RTD 3 (10), 3:00 Jul 12, 2014 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
Won WBO International super featherweight title
20 Win 19–0–1 Puerto Rico Abner Cotto UD 10 Mar 8, 2014 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
19 Win 18–0–1 United States Jerry Belmontes UD 10 Dec 13, 2013 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Retained NABF and WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight titles
18 Win 17–0–1 United States Brandon Bennett UD 10 Aug 9, 2013 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Won vacant NABF and vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight titles
17 Win 16–0–1 Mexico Cristian Arrazola TKO 3 (8), 2:04 May 17, 2013 Mexico Grand Oasis Resort, Cancún, Mexico
16 Win 15–0–1 United States Ira Terry KO 2 (10), 1:46 Jan 26, 2013 United States The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Mexico Carlos Jacobo TKO 3 (10), 0:21 Nov 17, 2012 Mexico Teatro del Pueblo, Cuautlancingo, Mexico
14 Win 13–0–1 United States Victor Sanchez UD 4 Sep 15, 2012 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13 Win 12–0–1 Puerto Rico Irving Torres TKO 1 (8) Jul 7, 2012 United States The Hangar, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
12 Win 11–0–1 Mexico Francisco Gabriel Pina KO 3 (8), 0:55 May 26, 2012 Mexico Grand Oasis Resort, Cancún, Mexico
11 Win 10–0–1 Dominican Republic Rafael Lora TKO 3 (6), 2:27 Apr 21, 2012 United States Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
10 Win 9–0–1 Mexico Carlos Perez TKO 3 (4), 1:26 Mar 31, 2012 Mexico Grand Oasis Resort, Cancún, Mexico
9 Win 8–0–1 Mexico Alberto Cupido KO 1 (6), 1:57 Dec 17, 2011 Mexico Campo de Beisbol Froylan López, Cozumel, Mexico
8 Win 7–0–1 Mexico Andres Uribe TKO 1 (6), 2:15 Nov 5, 2011 Mexico Cancún, Mexico
7 Win 6–0–1 Mexico Ramiro Mendoza TKO 1 (6), 0:37 Oct 15, 2011 Mexico Gimnasio Revolución, Calpulalpan, Mexico
6 Win 5–0–1 Mexico Gonzalo Rodriguez KO 1 (6), 2:08 Aug 13, 2011 Mexico Deportivo Tlalli, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
5 Win 4–0–1 Mexico Luis Eduardo Martinez KO 2 (6) Jun 11, 2011 Mexico Deportivo Trabajadores del Metro, Mexico City, Mexico
4 Draw 3–0–1 United States Byron Gonzalez MD 4 Sep 25, 2010 Mexico El Foro, Tijuana, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Mexico Juan Sandoval UD 4 Jul 3, 2010 United States Grand Theatre, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Mexico Mario Cruz TKO 4 (4) Apr 24, 2010 Mexico Centro de Usos Múltiples, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 United States Daniel Calzada UD 4 Mar 12, 2010 United States Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, Texas, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Francisco Vargas". Golden Boy Promotions. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Central American and Caribbean Games". amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  3. ^ a b "American Olympic Qualifications - Guatemala City 2008". www.amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  4. ^ "Golden Boy Promotions Signs 2008 Olympian Francisco Vargas to an Exclusive Promotional Agreement". BoxingNews24. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Charlo Brothers, Ramirez, Vargas, Spence Win in Vegas". 26 January 2013.
  6. ^ "ShoBox results: Francisco Vargas routs Brandon Bennett over 10". 9 August 2013.
  7. ^ "2013 Boxing fight - Francisco Vargas vs Jerry Belmontes - Full Fight Video". 14 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Belmontes upsets Tomlinson, Vargas outslugs Cotto in Las Vegas".
  9. ^ "Francisco Vargas stops Juan Manuel Lopez".
  10. ^ "Genaro Camargo Steps Up to Face Genaro Camargo". 10 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Vargas vs. Tomlinson: Live results and round by round coverage". 12 March 2015.
  12. ^ "Big Fights Ahead for Golden Boy Promotions in 2016". 8 January 2016.
  13. ^ "2015 fight of the year: Francisco Vargas TKO9 Takashi Miura". January 2016.
  14. ^ "Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido on June 4 in Carson, CA - Boxing News". 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  15. ^ "Fight of year? Vargas-Salido slugfest ends in draw". 5 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  16. ^ "Vargas vs. Salido averaged 833K viewers on HBO - Boxing News". 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  17. ^ "Francisco Vargas vs. Miguel Berchelt Set For January 28, HBO". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  18. ^ "Vargas vs. Berchelt Results". fightnewswire.com. January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  19. ^ "Miguel Berchelt beats Francisco Vargas to win WBC super featherweight title". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  20. ^ "Berchelt takes junior lightweight belt in upset". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  21. ^ "Berchelt-Salido in Play, Vargas vs. Gonzalez Eliminator Ordered". 4 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Jhonny Gonzalez Stays Busy on 11/4 Before Francisco Vargas Bout". 11 October 2017.
  23. ^ "Cofirman Berchelt-Salido y Vargas-Román". 17 October 2017.
  24. ^ "Berchelt injured, Vargas vs. Salido rematch possible". 26 October 2017.
  25. ^ "Orlando Salido, Mickey Roman to headline HBO on Dec. 9 vs. Lomachenko-Rigondeaux - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  26. ^ "Orlando Salido vs. Miguel Roman Approved for WBC Interim-Belt". 7 November 2017.
  27. ^ "Francisco Vargas Gains Technical Nod, Smith With Severe Injury". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  28. ^ "Stephen Smith loses technical decision to Francisco Vargas after nasty ear injury in ninth round". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  29. ^ "Francisco Vargas vs. Rod Salka on April 12 at Fantasy Springs". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  30. ^ "Vargas vs. Salka set for 4/12 on ESPN". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  31. ^ "Francisco Vargas Drops, Breaks Down, Stops Rod Salka in Six". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  32. ^ "Vargas TKOs Salka; Cancio beats Sharibayev". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  33. ^ Esco, Wil (2019-05-12). "Miguel Berchelt dominates, stops Francisco Vargas in 6". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  34. ^ "Francisco Vargas Defeats Aviles Via Split Decision in Rough Fight". BoxingScene.com. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
[edit]
Achievements
Preceded by WBC Super Featherweight Champion
November 21, 2015 – 28 January 2017 		Succeeded by
Awards
Previous:
Lucas Matthysse
vs John Molina Jr. 		BWAA Fight of the Year
The Ring Fight of the Year
vs Takashi Miura
2015 		Next:
Anthony Joshua vs.
Wladimir Klitschko
BWAA Fight of the Year
The Ring Fight of the Year
vs Orlando Salido
2016
Previous:
Francisco Rodríguez Jr.
vs Katsunari Takayama 		ESPN Fight of the Year
vs Takashi Miura
2015
ESPN Fight of the Year
vs Orlando Salido
2016
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