Emiliano Vargas Wants Shakur Stevenson Title Shot
Emiliano Vargas says he's ready for WBO champ Shakur Stevenson despite an unproven resume at 140 pounds.
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Emiliano Vargas says he is ready to challenge WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson, even though the 22-year-old has climbed to the WBO's No. 1 contender spot without beating anyone ranked among the division's elite.
"I'm a fighter. I'd want to fight him tomorrow. But at the end of the day, we've got to see what's going on, if he's going to continue with the belt or relinquish it because of the fact that he's with Zuffa now. I think it's the time for me to fight for a world title," Vargas said.
Vargas, the son of former 154-pound champion Fernando Vargas, is unbeaten and coming off a fourth-round stoppage of Bryce Mills in June. Before that he ran through Agustin Ezequiel Quintana, Jonathan Montrel, Alexander Espinoza, Juan Leon and Giovannie Gonzalez, a stretch that netted him three regional straps and the WBO's top ranking. None of those names carried real standing in the 140-pound title picture.
Does Vargas Have the Resume for a Title Shot?
Not yet, by his own opposition sheet. Vargas has leaned on sparring with Teofimo Lopez and past rounds with Jorge Linares as proof he belongs at championship level, but gym work under headgear and with big gloves does not replicate a live opponent trying to take his spot. Ernesto "Tito" Mercado has been calling for the fight for months, publicly naming Vargas as a target as far back as June when Vargas sat at No. 2 in the WBO ratings. Vargas did not mention Mercado directly but said he would fight anyone in the top 10, and a matchup with Mercado's power and pressure would tell far more about him than Bryce Mills or Agustin Ezequiel Quintana ever could.
Why a Shakur Stevenson Fight Would Draw Criticism
Shakur Stevenson, who signed with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, would take heat from fans if he picked Vargas as his next opponent. Stevenson previously pushed for a 144-pound catchweight in negotiations for a fight with Devin Haney, a demand that helped collapse those talks, and that history has fans expecting him to face a proven 140-pounder or a name moving up from lightweight rather than an unproven No. 1 contender. Vargas is unbeaten and highly regarded as a prospect, but a title shot without a signature win over a top-10 name would look like a soft match made on ranking alone rather than merit.
Betting Angle
There is no fight on the books between Vargas and Stevenson, so there is no line to point to yet. But directionally, a Vargas booking against a game contender like Mercado should open with Vargas favored given his power and unbeaten record, and how he handles adversity in that fight would shape how the market prices him if a Stevenson fight ever gets made. Stevenson, meanwhile, remains one of the more cautiously matched champions in the sport, and oddsmakers would likely install him as a heavy favorite over Vargas given the experience gap, regardless of what the WBO rankings say.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Emiliano Vargas fought Shakur Stevenson?
No fight has been made. Emiliano Vargas says he wants to challenge WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson, but no bout has been scheduled.
What is Emiliano Vargas's boxing record?
Emiliano Vargas is unbeaten and most recently stopped Bryce Mills in four rounds in June, a win that followed victories over Agustin Ezequiel Quintana, Jonathan Montrel, Alexander Espinoza, Juan Leon and Giovannie Gonzalez.
Why do fans want Emiliano Vargas to fight Ernesto Mercado first?
Ernesto 'Tito' Mercado has repeatedly called out Emiliano Vargas, and his power and pressure are seen as a tougher, more legitimate test than any opponent Vargas has faced so far.
