FULL NAME: Fernando Vargas

AGE:27

BIRTHDAY:December 7, 1977

RESIDENCE/BIRTHPLACE: Oxnard,CA

RECORD: 25-2, 22KOS

HEIGHT: 5'10

REACH: 74"

MANAGERS: Shelly Finkel & Rolando Arellano

TRAINER: Eduardo Garcia

*WBA Super welterweight champion

*1996 olympic bronze medalist

Love him or hate him, boxing fans everywhere realize that Fernando Vargas is good for the sport.

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 lbs., 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 Olympic Games thanks to the much-maligned and often-ridiculed Olympic scoring system. Disappointed, but undaunted, Vargas set his sights on achieving greatness in the professional ranks.

Vargas was scheduled to turn pro on November 22, 1996, however, while training for the 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 -- a veteran of 33 bouts -- 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.

On October 4, 1997, in his first performance on a pay-per-view broadcast, Vargas dismantled bruising veteran Alex Quiroga (TKO 6). Vargas bounced devastating overhand rights off Quiroga's granite jaw, and mauled him with bone-crunching left hooks to the ribcage, forcing referee Eddie Cotton to stop the bout in round six.

After starching his next six opponents-all within five rounds-Vargas received his first opportunity to headline an HBO fight card.

On August 22, 1998, Vargas battled rugged New Jersey native Darren Maciunski in the co-feature bout to the Arturo Gatti-Ivan Robinson 10 round war. Both bouts were broadcast live on HBO's "Boxing After Dark" program. Fernando hammered Maciunski from the opening bell, twice dropping the relentless Maciunski on his way to earning a sixth round stoppage (TKO 6).

On October 16, the World Boxing Hall of Fame named Vargas their 1999 "Fighter of the Year."

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