Profile of Fernando Vargas on Famous Like Me

Fernando Vargas (born December 7, 1977) is a boxer from Michoacán, Mexico who moved to Oxnard, California at a very young age and is now a two-time world champion. His nicknames include "Ferocious" and "The Aztec Warrior".

Vargas won his first world title in 1998, knocking out Yori Boy Campas in seven rounds for the WBA belt. He lost that title to Félix Trinidad in 2000, sending Trinidad to the floor in round four, but visiting the canvas five times himself before being stopped in round twelve.

Vargas recovered the title by beating his former sparring parter Jose Flores by knockout in round seven. He once again lost the title in an eleventh round knockout defeat at the hands of Oscar De La Hoya.

Vargas has benefited from an exceptionally distinguished corner team. He was formerly trained by International Boxing Hall Of Fame member Lou Duva. He is promoted by Main Events, a prominent promotional firm. His manager is Shelly Finkel, who also manages the career of Mike Tyson. Through his association with Duva, Fernando become friends with world champions such as Pernell Whitaker and Mark Breland.

Apart from Campas and Flores, Fernando's victims include former world champions Raul Marquez, Ike Quartey and Winky Wright (though many thought Wright won his fight against Vargas). His losses to Trinidad and De La Hoya remain his only career defeats and he is a favorite of American cable tv giant HBO.

Fernando had trouble with the law in 2000 and was found to have taken steroids before the De La Hoya fight. Vargas said the steroids were given to him without his knowledge, but he accepted full responsibility. The Nevada State Athletic Commission announced on November 20 of 2002 that it would fine Vargas $100,000 because of his use of steroids. He was also suspended for several months.

Despite these problems, Fernando remains an accessible celebrity who signs many autographs. After his knockout win over Fitz Vanderpool on July 26, 2003, he stood at a corner and yelled "I love you guys!" to his fans. Vargas continued his comeback, on December 12, with a seventh round knockout of Tony Marshall that was shown live nationwide from Tucson, on Telemundo. During that fight, Vargas injured a disc in his back, and his doctor recommended surgery to be performed, but Vargas chose to rehabilitate his back himself without having the surgery. This caused him to spend almost two years in inactivity, but, on March 26 he returned to boxing with a ten round unanimous decision win over Ray Joval in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Fernando is very good friends with Julio Cesar Chavez.

Fernando's career record stands at 26 wins and 2 losses, with 22 wins by knockout.

On August 20, 2005, he returned to the boxing ring to fight fellow former world Jr. Middleweight champion Javier Castillejo of Spain. Vargas dropped Castillejo in the third round, but he apparently broke his right hand and went on to win by a ten round unanimous decision.

Charitable work

In 2001, Vargas founded the "Ferocious Foundation for Kids" as a way to give back to his community a small portion of the riches he has obtained as a boxer. On December 22, 2004, the organization had its fourth annual Christmas toy giveaway in Oxnard.

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