18.10.07 – By Matthew Hurley: The Fernando Vargas – Ricardo Mayorga fight will now be fought at 168 pounds. The bout which was originally scheduled for September 8th was postponed when Vargas was diagnosed with anemia. Vargas’ camp contacted Mayorga’s camp requesting the weight change and Ricardo agreed. Neither fighter has ever fought above 160 pounds.
The fight, to take place on November 23rd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, is being billed as Fernando’s farewell to boxing. Vargas, 26-4 with 22 KOs is coming off back to back losses to Shane Mosley. His struggles with his weight are notorious and when the fight was initially signed he remarked that after the second loss to Mosley he had ballooned up to nearly two hundred and thirty-five pounds. The fact that he requested an additional eight pound weight allowance doesn’t speak well for this so-called farewell to the sport.
Mayorga, 28-6-6 with 23 KOs is coming off a 6th round TKO loss to Oscar De La Hoya. “El Matador” has become something of a staple for once elite fighters looking for an opponent who will mouth off at press conferences to garner public interest and then stand straight up and walk into punches once the bell rings thereby making his opponent look brilliant. He performed this task well against Felix Trinidad and then De La Hoya and now Vargas hopes he does the same for him.
Mayorga was already playing his villainous role to the hilt at a press conference in July when a few choice remarks led to a brawl on the podium. Vargas took the bait and a fight, really not worthy of pay-per-view, became something of a fun diversion. Suddenly the fight itself became a little more compelling because where Mayorga is easy to hit, Vargas’ chin is now easy to dent. The fight took on the appeal of a potential street fight with the winner being the one who landed the first big punch.
Now the fight will come the day after Thanksgiving and with many having the day off from work this pay-per-view card will probably sell fairly well. Vargas maintains a loyal fan base and Mayorga presents the perfect foil.
The undercard has yet to be finalized.