By David Galaviz-
GLENDALE, Ariz. — He has some of his father’s confidence. Some of his looks, too. It’s combo inherited from a famous dad, Fernando Vargas.
Like father, like son?
The story has begun to unfold with Emiliano Vargas, who calls himself “El General.” His father called himself “El Feroz.” Put the two together — a General’s leadership and his father’s — and it’s an ambitious beginning and perhaps an extension of the Vargas legacy.
Emiliano has already set the bar high. He’s bold about what he hopes to accomplish in this new year.
“I want to the Prospect of the Year in 2023,’’ he said.
The mission begins Friday against Francisco Duque on a ESPN card featuring Emanuel Navarrete against Liam Wilson at Desert Diamond Arena. His father will be there in his corner, a dad remembered for some of the most notable fights in the early 2000s.
The youngest of the Vargas brothers Emiliano “El General” Vargas following in his fathers footsteps, stepping in the ring. Often times children of pro athletes have unnecessary pressure to perform at the level or greater than their parents, in this case this young man dad happens to be.
Under the guidance of his father, two-time world light middleweight Emiliano became an eight-time amateur national champion.
He was busy as an amateur. and plans to stay busy as a pro
“I hope to fight five times this year” said Emiliano (2-0 2KOs), a lightweight who weighed in Thursday at 133.4 pounds. Duque (1-1), of Baytown Texas, weighed in at 136.5 pounds
Emiliano has been sparing with the likes of Jorge Linares and Shakur Stevenson. It’s an experience that can only put emiliano in a good position to accomplish one of the initial goals in a promising career. He had an exceptional amateur record, at astonishing 110 wins and only 10 loses. That record is a early sign of a young fighter who figures to be in the hunt to be the Prospect of the Year.
Last May, he finished his opponent with a first round KO. Following his debut, “El General” picked up where he left off, scoring a second round knockout. He threw a left hook, for a sensational stoppage of Julio Cesar Martinez. It was a stunner. And more. It drew consideration for KO of the year 2022, a pretty good beginning on his goal for 2023.
