Rey Vargas is hoping to get again on prime. Photograph by Lawrence Lustig
LAS VEGAS – For 2 years, from 2017 to 2019, Rey Vargas held the WBC junior featherweight world title and dominated his title defenses.
He received the vacant 122-pound belt on the highway in England by cut up resolution over Gavin McDonnell after which received 5 consecutive title defenses, all by large resolution.
Vargas, of Mexico, beat a strong assortment of contenders in these defenses: Ronny Rios, Oscar Negrete, Azat Hovhannisyan, Franklin Manzanilla and former bantamweight world titlist Tomoki Kameda.
By the point he beat Kameda in July 2017, Vargas was broadly seen because the No. 1 fighter within the weight class, however he has not fought since.
So much has occurred with Vargas over the previous 2½ years. He vacated his title with the plan to maneuver as much as featherweight; noticed his promotional cope with Golden Boy Promotions expire; aligned himself with Premier Boxing Champions; and suffered a damaged left leg.
After that lengthy layoff, Vargas is lastly set to return to the ring towards Leonardo Baez (21-4, 12 KOs), 26, of Mexico, in a 10-round featherweight bout on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant undercard on Saturday (Showtime PPV, 9 p.m. ET, $79.99) on the MGM Grand Backyard Area.
“I’m very proud to be combating on this card. I’m keen to point out everybody what I can do after two years away. I’m prepared for Saturday,” Vargas mentioned via an interpreter on Thursday. “In case you suppose that I’m rusty, you might not be extra mistaken. I’m right here to point out that I can nonetheless deliver the struggle. I’m nonetheless very a lot a contender. We’ll see what occurs on Saturday, however I’m assured in my abilities.”
WBC featherweight titlist Gary Russell Jr. has a pending necessary protection to make towards Mark Magsayo in a bout that’s prone to happen in early 2022. If Vargas beats Baez, he would be the subsequent necessary challenger, a struggle that WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman advised The Ring that the Russell-Masayo winner could be ordered to make subsequent.
“If the struggle with Gary Russell Jr. is on the desk, then I’ll be able to take it and go after the featherweight title,” Vargas mentioned. “Proper now although, we’re simply targeted on Saturday and nothing previous that.”
Vargas (34-0, 22 KOs), who turns 31 later this month, tried to clarify why he wound up in such a protracted layoff proper when he gave the impression to be at his peak.
“The layoff I’ve had has occurred for a few completely different causes,” Vargas mentioned. “I had a scenario with my former promoter (Golden Boy) and my contract had ended. I respectfully made them conscious of that and I wished to let six to eight months move after which begin anew.”
Then Vargas signed with PBC however mentioned he had potential fights referred to as off three or 4 instances “after which pandemic occurred.” The damaged leg additionally hindered his plans to return. Put all of it collectively, and it led to a layoff far longer than Vargas had deliberate for.
“However all of that’s previously now,” Vargas mentioned. “I’m prepared for a tremendous struggle on Saturday.”
