Emiliano Vargas, youngest son of Fernando, stays perfect in ring with another KO

Emiliano Vargas has made a name for himself as a legit prospect. He could soon become a contender at 140 pounds.

Vargas battered and punished Angel Varela from the opening bell, winning by knockout in the sixth round last Saturday night at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

The 20-year-old Vargas — the amateur standout who lives in Las Vegas and is the youngest son of 1996 Channel Islands High graduate and former two-time world titleholder Fernando Vargas — improved to 10-0 with eight knockouts.

Midway through the opening round, Vargas hurt Varela with a left hand to the stomach. Varela attempted to connect by initiating exchanges, but was effectively countered to the head by Vargas. Early in the second round, a combination, culminating with a left uppercut to the head, staggered Varela. Vargas followed up, walking Varela down and landing at will, connecting with a devastating left to the body later in the round that forced Varela to back up and fight defensively.

Vargas continued to batter Varela throughout the rest of the fight. Varela’s face was bruised from the amount of punches Vargas connected. During the sixth round, Vargas repeatedly landed straight rights and left hooks to the head. After Vargas landed a combination to the head, referee Ray Corona stepped in and stopped the fight at 1:01.

The fight was Vargas’ first at 140 pounds after mostly boxing as a lightweight (135 pounds). Vargas was pleased with his performance, but believes he could have fought much better.

“One hundred and forty (pounds) is definitely my new division,” said Vargas after the fight. “You could hear my dad (during the fight) yell, ‘Pick your shots.’ This guy was tough. He didn’t come here to lay down. He put up a great fight. ... I think it was a B-minus performance. I could’ve got him out of there a lot sooner. He’s just tough.”

In his previous fight on March 29 in Glendale, Arizona, Vargas defeated gatekeeper Nelson Hampton by decision over six one-sided rounds.

Vargas announced Tuesday he is planning to return to the ring in June. Top Rank, which promotes Vargas, is promoting a card on June 21 at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Vargas wants to fight often, and with the amount of sparring he gets against world titleholders, contenders and unbeaten fighters, he believes he becomes a more well-rounded fighter.

“If I could fight every week, I would,” said Vargas, who was born in Oxnard.

Despite having 10 fights as a pro, Vargas hopes to step up to face the top fighters in the junior welterweight division. Some of those fighters are WBC world junior welterweight titleholder Devin Haney and contender Ryan Garcia. Haney and Garcia fought on April 20, with Garcia, who weighed in at 143 pounds for that fight, winning a close decision.

Vargas hopes to land a bout against either fighter.

“I would fight Ryan at whatever weight and when the time is ready. I think that’s a fight that a lot of people want to see. I definitely want the biggest fights. The biggest names. Whether it’s Ryan (Garcia), Devin (Haney). We’re fighters. We’re looking to get in there and fight. Win, lose, or draw, we look to put on great performances to the fans.

“I don’t have to be the mean stereotype, mean boxer. I come from a beautiful home with two loving parents. I’m a competitor at the end of the day. If you think you can beat me, let’s see it. I’m a competitor. I don’t believe you can beat me. That’s what I’m about.”

Vargas’ older brother, Amado, will face unbeaten Sean Garcia, Ryan Garcia’s younger brother, in a 10-round bout on July 6 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. All three Vargas brothers, including oldest brother Fernando Jr., are unbeaten.

“This is the Vargas dynasty for a reason. It’s a lonely sport, but I have my father and my brothers with me,” said Vargas. “It’s a blessing that my father’s hard work and, obviously, the work I put in as well. You were able to see in my first 10 fights (that) we made it to 10-0.”

Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for The Star. He also covers boxing for Ring Magazine. He can be reached on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Emiliano Vargas, youngest son of Fernando, remains unbeaten in ring