Antonio Vargas goes into Saturday’s world championship fight against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as the underdog. Nevertheless, the WBA champion is convinced that a win against the pound-for-pound star could make him a new boxing great.
Antonio Vargas is facing the biggest challenge of his career to date – and at the same time the biggest opportunity. On Saturday, the WBA bantamweight world champion will defend his title against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The fight will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
While Rodriguez (23-0, 16 knockouts) is considered one of the best boxers in the world and could become world champion in a third weight class with a win, Vargas (19-1-1, 11 knockouts) sees his big opportunity coming. “This is one of the biggest fights in boxing against one of the biggest names on the scene. After this win, I’ll be exactly where I always wanted to be,” Vargas explained confidently ahead of the duel.
The 29-year-old knows that most experts don’t have him on their radar. And that is precisely what drives him on. Rodriguez is currently listed among the best boxers in the world in many pound-for-pound rankings and is considered the clear favorite. “He is one of the biggest names in boxing. That motivates me every day in training. I want to show the world who I am,” said Vargas.
He particularly remembers a statement made by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn at the first press conference. “Eddie Hearn said: ‘If you beat Bam, you’re the man’. That sentence gave me even more motivation to give everything for this fight.”
Title defense against one of the best in the world
Vargas is not expecting an easy evening, but believes that his style can cause problems for Rodriguez. Instead of a knockout, he is relying on his boxing skills. “I wouldn’t say I’m going to stop him. But I will beat him. His boxing style will force me to show all my skills – things that the fans haven’t seen from me yet.”
For Vargas, this is about far more than the first successful title defense of his career. A win against Rodriguez would catapult him to the top of the world rankings. “Beating a boxer like Bam would put me on the stage I’ve always dreamed of. I want to make this dream a reality. And I’m convinced: after this fight, it will happen.”
Text by Robin Josten