| Special to Ventura County Star
Emiliano Vargas is proving he is no flash in the pan.
Vargas is demonstrating he is a dynamic and talented fighter who has the capability to one day win a world title belt.
Vargas will face Agustin Quintana on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The 10-round junior welterweight bout will precede the unification world title fight between WBO junior lightweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete and IBF titleholder Eduardo Nuñez.
Both fights will stream live on DAZN starting at 5 p.m.
Vargas (16-0, 13 knockouts), the youngest son of former two-time world junior middleweight champion and 1996 Channel Islands High School graduate Fernando Vargas, has developed into a solid prizefighter since making his pro debut in May 2022.
The 21-year-old has been promoted by Top Rank since his pro debut. The Las Vegas-based promotional company, which is run by Bob Arum, has a reputation of being the best at guiding a young or unbeaten fighter from prospect to challenging for a world title belt.
Like his father, Vargas was born in Oxnard and currently lives in Las Vegas.
Matchmaker Brad Goodman believes Vargas is on the cusp of become a legit contender at 140 pounds.
“I would say he’s in the top 15 (of the division) who can become a top-10 contender,” Goodman told The Star. “Emiliano is ready to fight anyone. He’s only 21 and he is only going to get better. Each fight will be a step up on paper for him. We want him to get rounds because that’s how he is going to get better.”
Quintana (22-2-1, 13 KOs), who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has defeated modest opposition. Quintana has won his last four bouts since a knockout defeat to once-beaten Juan Javier Carrasco in December 2022.
The 29-year-old did defeat unbeaten prospect Marc Castro by split decision in December 2024.
As Vargas continues to develop by putting time in the gym, he took part in a major sporting event earlier this month. Along with unified junior middleweight titleholder Xander Zayas, Vargas appeared in the Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny.
Goodman attributes Vargas’ mix of good looks, talent and being bilingual as reasons he is a marketable athlete.
“He carries confidence,” said Goodman, who has over 40 years of matchmaking experience. “He’s energetic. He’s young. There’s boxers who either have ability and no marketability or have no ability, but have marketability. Emiliano has both. He’s being groomed to become a force to be reckoned with as a legitimate fighter.”
Goodman said, as far as charisma, Vargas remains him of a young Oscar De La Hoya, who fought under the Top Rank banner and is now a promoter.
“That’s who he reminds me of. A young Oscar. Emiliano brings a crowd and so did Oscar. In fact, it seems as though Emiliano is more popular in the Phoenix area than in Las Vegas. He’s very outgoing. Interacts with the fans. What’s not to like about him?”
As far as what’s next for Vargas, Goodman said the goal is for him to fight three to four times this year. Goodman is confident Vargas would be ready to fight for a world title belt late next year.
Also on the Matchroom Boxing/ Top Rank card, Arturo Cardenas (17-0-1, 9 KOs) will square off against Jordan Martinez (17-0, 16 KOs) of nearby Phoenix in a 10-round junior featherweight bout. The fight will also stream live on DAZN.
Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for The Star. He has also written for Ring Magazine and Boxingscene. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at FSalazarBoxing.
