WBA World Bantamweight Champion Antonio Vargas (USA) — with a record of 19 wins (11 KOs), 1 loss, and 1 no contest — has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Moving forward, he will be co-promoted alongside Boxlab Promotions, led by Amaury Piedra.
“I want to thank God for this opportunity. I’m truly grateful to be taking the next step in my career with the support of Boxlab Promotions and Matchroom Boxing,” said Vargas.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I feel blessed to be surrounded by a team that believes in me. I’m ready to defend my world title and continue making everyone proud.”
Following the WBA’s designation of Seiya Tsutsumi (Kadoebi Jewel Gym) — 12 wins (8 KOs), 0 losses, 3 draws — as champion in recess, Vargas was elevated from interim champion to regular champion. His first title defense is scheduled for July in Japan against Daigo Higa (Shisei Boxing Gym), who holds a record of 21 wins (19 KOs), 3 losses, and 2 draws. The bout is expected to be officially announced soon.
Born in Houston, Texas, the 28-year-old Vargas represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Competing in the flyweight division, he was eliminated in the second round by eventual gold medalist Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan. He later signed with Top Rank and turned professional.
Although Vargas built a strong early career, he suffered a shocking defeat in May 2019 in his 11th fight — an eight-rounder — when he was knocked out just 1 minute and 53 seconds into the first round by Jose Maria Cardenas (Mexico), who had been on a two-fight losing streak at the time. Vargas was caught by a counter right hand, collapsed face-forward, and was unable to continue.
After suffering a devastating knockout loss, Antonio Vargas restarted his career six months later in a six-round bout. However, he faced a long road back, including a 2-year and 5-month layoff, and was limited to five consecutive six-round fights. Despite this setback, Vargas rose from the nightmare defeat and seized an opportunity to compete in a WBA bantamweight world title eliminator on February 24, 2023 (February 25 Japan time).
At a Matchroom Boxing event held at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida, Vargas faced Jonathan Rodriguez (USA), who held a record of 17 wins (7 KOs), 3 losses, and 1 draw. Vargas was knocked down in the first round but came back to score a knockdown of his own in the second. As the fight progressed, Vargas began wearing Rodriguez down, ultimately forcing him to retire after the seventh round and securing his position as a title challenger.
Later that year, on December 13 (December 14 Japan time), during the WBA convention held at the same venue, Vargas competed for the interim WBA bantamweight title. He faced Winston Guerrero (Nicaragua), the division’s No. 9 contender, who had fought in a 10-round bout only once before. Vargas defeated Guerrero by TKO in the 10th round, claiming the interim world title.
Although Vargas scored a knockdown in the first round, he was dropped in the second by a powerful right hook to the body from Guerrero. The damage was significant, but Vargas survived the round and managed to recover. From the third round onward, he displayed the difference in experience and skill, ultimately securing the victory.
At the WBA Convention, Antonio Vargas captured the interim title, and following Seiya Tsutsumi’s injury, he was elevated to WBA Regular World Bantamweight Champion — a string of good fortune for Vargas. While he is a skilled fighter with both speed and technique, his recent bouts have exposed his vulnerability, as he’s been knocked down in each of his last two fights.
In the world bantamweight division, a major unification bout is set for Sunday, June 8, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, where WBC World Bantamweight Champion “Big Bang” Junto Nakatani (M.T Gym) — 30 wins, 23 by KO — will face IBF Champion Ryosuke Nishida (Matsushima Gym) — 10 wins, 2 by KO — in a highly anticipated showdown.
Meanwhile, WBO World Bantamweight Champion Yuki Takei (Ohashi Gym) — 11 wins, 9 by KO — is in negotiations to defend his title against top-ranked challenger Christian Medina (Mexico) — 25 wins (18 KOs), 4 losses — with the bout expected to take place in Japan this September.
If Daigo Higa is confirmed as Vargas’s opponent for his first title defense, high expectations will be placed on Higa’s punching power. Given Vargas’s recent performances and the nature of his elevation to champion, there is a strong possibility that the WBA Regular Bantamweight title could be brought back to Japan.
With a Regular Champion, an Interim Champion, and a Champion in Recess, the WBA has created a confusing surplus of titles. Let’s hope they don’t continue down this misguided path.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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