Fernando Vargas (born December 7, 1977) is an
American boxer and two-time world champion, who won
a bronze medal as an amateur at the 1995 Pan
American Games in Mar del Plata. His nicknames
include "Ferocious" and "The Aztec Warrior".
Some of Fernando's notable wins include victories
over former world champions Raul Marquez, Ike
Quartey and Winky Wright. His losses to Felix
Trinidad, Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and Ricardo
Mayorga remain his only career defeats and he is a
favorite of American cable TV giant HBO.
Fernando is very good friends with Julio César
Chávez; Chavez has been part of Vargas' ring
entourage in at least two fights (the fight with
Trinidad and the fight with de la Hoya).
Vargas, a Mexican American, was born in Oxnard,
California. In his youth, Vargas trained at the
popular La Colonia Youth Boxing Club in the La
Colonia Barrio neighborhood of Oxnard, California.
Fernando Vargas compiled an extraordinary amateur
record of 100-5. In 1992, he won the 132 lb.
championships at the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, and
came in second at the Junior Olympics. In 1993, he
captured the triple crown of amateur boxing: the
Junior Olympics Box-Offs, the Junior Olympics, and
the Junior Olympics International tournament. The
following year he solidified his position as one of
the premier amateur fighters in the world by winning
the 132 lb gold medal at the Olympic Festival,
seizing the U.S. Junior Championships at 132 lb, and
by becoming the youngest fighter ever to win the
U.S. Championships. In 1995, he was selected to the
1996 U.S. Olympic Team.
Vargas lost a controversial decision in the second
round of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Disappointed,
but undaunted, Vargas set his sights on achieving
greatness in the professional ranks.
Vargas was scheduled to turn pro on November of
1996, however, while training for his debut bout he
broke his right hand. Eager to turn pro and begin
his march toward a world championship, Vargas
"ferociously" followed his physical therapy program,
and within five months he was ready for his
professional debut.
In his professional debut on March 25, 1997, Vargas
crushed Jorge Morales in just 56 seconds.
Immediately, a star was born. Fernando blasted his
next five opponents within two rounds, eliminating
four of his five challengers in one round. After six
professional bouts, Vargas had fought a total of
only eight rounds.
Vargas won his first world title in 1998, knocking
out Yori Boy Campas in seven rounds for the IBF
belt, becoming the youngest champion in the junior
middleweight division's history [21 years and 5
months]
Recognizing that his fans have always remarked on
his great taste in clothes, Vargas chose to start
his own clothing line, Nawshis. The clothes feature
uniquely designed collar shirts, jerseys, t-shirts,
and denim, designed for the urban male. Fernando
frequently goes on tour to promote his line, which
will expand into women's fashion in the near future.
Vargas played Tiko "TKO" Martinez in the movie Alpha
Dog, which was released on January 12, 2007. Vargas
has stated in a radio show that he is in talks of
being in another movie with Jamie Foxx.
In 2001, Vargas founded the "Ferocious Foundation
for Kids" as a way to give back to his community a
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.
