Background and career
Fernando Javier Vargas (born December 7, 1977) is a Mexican-American former professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2007. He was a two-time light middleweight world champion, having held the IBF title from 1998 to 2000, and the WBA title from 2001 to 2002. As an amateur he won a bronze medal in the light welterweight division at the 1995 Pan American Games, and reached the second round of the welterweight bracket at the 1996 Olympics. Vargas is best known for his heated rivalries against Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Ricardo Mayorga. Vargas is the father and trainer of Fernando Vargas Jr.
In his youth Vargas compiled a remarkable amateur record of 100–5. In 1992, he won the 132 lb. championships at the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, and came in second at the Junior Olympics. In 1993, he captured the triple crown of amateur boxing: the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, the Junior Olympics, and the Junior Olympics International tournament. The following year he solidified his position as one of the premier amateur fighters in the world by winning the 132 lb gold medal at the Olympic Festival, seizing the U.S. Junior Championships at 132 lb, and by becoming the youngest fighter ever to win the U.S. Championships. In 1995, he was selected to the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. Vargas lost a controversial decision in the second round of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was scheduled to turn pro in November 1996, however, while training for his debut bout he broke his right hand. Eager to turn pro and begin his march toward a world championship, Vargas "ferociously" followed his physical therapy program, and within five months he was ready for his professional debut.
Won the 132-lb Junior Olympics Box-Offs; came in second at the Junior Olympics (1992) Won the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, the Junior Olympics, and the Junior Olympics International tournament (1993) Won the 132-lb gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Festival (1994), seizing the U.S. Championships at 132 pounds, becoming the youngest boxer ever to win the U.S. Championships (Seniors). Participated at the 1994 World Junior Championships, losing in the quarter-finals. 1995 Pan American Games Bronze Medalist in Mar Del Plata (ARG) Selected to the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, defeated Tengiz Meskhadze (Georgia) 10–4, but lost to Marian Simion (Romania) 7–8 in the second bout.
In his professional debut on March 25, 1997, Vargas crushed Jorge Morales in just 56 seconds. He quickly beat his next five opponents, spending only eight rounds in his first six bouts. By the time of his first world championship he won all his 14 bouts by knockout. He stopped journeyman fighter Darren Maciunski on August 22, 1998 in a match that was televised by HBO. He won his first world title on December 22, 1998, forcing Yori Boy Campas to quit on his stool in seven rounds thus winning the IBF light middleweight world championship. Vargas successfully defended the title five times over 24 months, with victories over Howard Clarke (TKO 4), Raúl Márquez (TKO 11), Winky Wright (MD 12), Ross Thompson (TKO 4) and Ike Quartey (UD 12).
Vargas lost the title to Félix Trinidad in December 2000. Vargas was knocked down twice in the first round, he was able to fight his way back by knocking down Trinidad in the fourth round until finally being knocked out in the 12th and final round.
In 2001 Vargas was sentenced to 90 days in House Arrest stemming from a 1999 assault charge. Vargas and four friends were originally charged with assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit a crime stemming from a July 25, 1999, altercation at a Summerland, California home. The defendants were accused of assaulting Doug Rossi, 23, who had broken up a fight between Vargas and a female friend's ex-boyfriend.
