STEVE’S SOAPBOX
in 1997. In what was just his 15th professional outing, Vargas stopped Yori Boy Campas in seven rounds to capture the IBF junior middleweight title. Soon he was calling out anybody and everybody, and perhaps to his own detriment. He was never the same after his valiant effort against Trinidad, where he was halted in the 12th and final round of what was an epic title- unification in December 2000. As for Emiliano, he is content with how he is being handled. He came up with Abdullah Mason and Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington on Top Rank undercards that were shown on ESPN. Those two are now world titleholders, but that hasn’t made him impatient in the least. “Look, comparison is the thief of joy,” he said philosophically. “I’m really, really happy with what’s
team, and we’re doing an amazing job in putting things together. I feel people are going to be surprised with some of the news coming out in regards to me fighting for a world title.” Keep this in mind: While he’s the top-rated contender for the WBO belt held by Ring champ Shakur Stevenson, he is not the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger. The guess is that his brain trust won’t press this issue for a while. Let’s be honest; nobody is rushing to face Stevenson and his sublime skills.
U.S. Olympian, so he had a much more experienced amateur run. And I think – I know – Fernando got his man-strength sooner than Emiliano did. Emiliano is growing into his man- strength now. Just think of how strong he’ll be in a year. Fernando came out of the amateurs fighting 10-round guys in his 10th fight and physically being able to handle them. So [the more careful career path is] more of a physical thing than anything else.” In his most recent outing in late June, Emiliano scored a fourth-round stoppage of Bryce Mills – and he did it with a twist. “We went all southpaw,” explained the father, who trains all three of his sons. “This guy had fought only one southpaw in his career. So I said ‘We’re going to do the whole fight southpaw.’
But when you ask Vargas if he feels he’s ready to face world-class competition, Emiliano answers without hesitation. “Yeah, for sure. I’d be in the wrong sport if I didn’t believe so. I really do believe I could fight – and not just fight but dominate – on the world stage.” The thing about Vargas is that he isn’t just a talented and entertaining fighter. It’s as if he came straight out of central casting with his looks and polished personality. With Canelo Alvarez leaving this sport sooner rather than later, the business will be in need of the next matinee idol who can put asses in seats and resonate with the general public. This Vargas can be more than just a prizefighter; he could become a prized brand. This year has been a busy one between his two ring appearances to date. In late January, he received The Ring’s 2025 Prospect of the Year award in New York City. A week later, he participated in the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny. Then, in July, he was on the broadcast crew as his brothers Amado and Fernando Jr. performed on a Bare Knuckle Boxing show in England. Vargas is that rare modern-day boxer who will
(NOT) LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON By Steve Kim
Emiliano’s father, Fernando, was known for his fiery personality when he fought.
going on in my career. I’m blessed, to say the least. I think some people need the belt, but I’m a competitor at the end of the day. Obviously, my dream is to become a world champion. I feel like I’m inching towards that. My next fight, in talking with Top Rank, could put me on that cusp of being a world champion. As you know, I’m the number one contender [in the WBO rankings] right now. Like I said, I’m not looking at anyone else’s career.” While his father was fiery and sometimes compulsive in his younger days (hence the moniker “El Feroz”), Emiliano is more measured and contemplative. Fernando Sr. was a fast and dangerous ride. He wanted to get to places and get there quickly. His son might be more suited for the longer, drawn-out journey. “When God wants me to become a world champion, it’ll be set in stone, and it is what it is,” Emiliano continued. “But look, I have a great
Emiliano’s known for switching back and forth, but I said ‘We’re not going to switch. We’re going to do the whole fight southpaw,’ and he goes ‘OK.’ We did that, and this guy didn’t know what the fuck hit him.” His next fight will come sometime in the fall. Moretti says that at some point in 2027, he’ll be headlining his own cards. Regardless, this process will not be rushed, which is fine by Emiliano. “There hasn’t been a moment where my father said ‘Hey, son, slow down.’ That hasn’t happened at all,” said Emiliano. “So I just feel like everything’s flowing. It’s not like we’re forcing anything to move too quickly or to move too slowly.” The mistakes of the past will not be repeated here. “My dad says it all the time. There’s three types of people: those who learn from others’ mistakes, people who learn from their mistakes, and people who never learn at all.”
have commercial opportunities outside the sport. “I’m looking to be in movies. We’re looking to be bigger than just boxing, because I can only box for so long and my body can only take it for so long,” stated Emiliano. “Obviously, legacy is forever, but at the same time – and this is for any fighter – what’s after boxing? I’m just looking to build on every opportunity that comes and maximize on it.” Carl Moretti, the matchmaker for Main Events as Vargas Sr. made his quick ascension up the ranks, is now an executive at Top Rank. If anyone understands the difference between the father and son, it’s Moretti. “The first thing is the amateur career,” he explained. “Fernando was literally a
A t age 22, Fernando Vargas was completing a stretch in which he had faced the formidable likes of Winky Wright, Ike Quartey and Felix Trinidad in world title bouts – all by his 21st professional bout. At the same age, Vargas’ youngest son, Emiliano, is a junior welterweight prospect with 18 bouts under his belt. His opponents have been solid fighters, but not the world-beaters his father faced. And that’s exactly how the elder Vargas wanted his son’s professional career to unfold. He was simply not going to allow Emiliano to follow
the hard road he had forged for himself. It’s something he said from the very beginning in 2022, when the former amateur standout turned pro with Top Rank “I know that Top Rank knows what they’re doing,” said Fernando, who was promoted by Main Events. “They’re great at creating champions, keeping people as champions, for decades. So I’m not going to rush them and tell them to speed it up, do this or do that – they know exactly what they’re doing.” By contrast, Fernando forced his handlers to put him on the fast track during his own career, which began
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