Miguel Berchelt vs. Francisco Vargas II - May 11, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Top Rank has finalized a rematch between WBC junior lightweight champion, Miguel Berchelt (35-1, 31 KOs) and Francisco Vargas (25-1-2, 18 KOs) for March 23rd.

Todd duBoef, the president of Top Rank told ESPN.com that the fight would take place at the Forum in Los Angeles and be televised by ESPN.

Berchelt defeated Vargas in January of 2017, stopping him in 11 rounds, to capture this title.

[Mexi-Box]

It's still a great fight, but I can't see Vargas winning this. Berchelt has since improved, and Vargas hasn't really had a big fight to where you can see anything new.

[jamamb]

doesnt really seem like a rematch fight to me, it was solid action but won decisvely and theres not much reason to see vargas doing any better.

im glad berchelts with top rank now, hes been rumored as lomas second opponent in 2019, thatd be a very good matchup

[Cent0089]

Well this rematch is not necesary IMO. Berchelt is at physical and mental prime and will beat Vargas more decisively than the first time. Vargas is going to take some serious beating in this one

[Cent0089]

doesnt really seem like a rematch fight to me, it was solid action but won decisvely and theres not much reason to see vargas doing any better.

im glad berchelts with top rank now, hes been rumored as lomas second opponent in 2019, thatd be a very good matchup

He is with Top rank? that is some great news, i wanna see Berchelt - Lomachenko since 2017

[jamamb]

yes signed to tr now, makes me think him vs loma is a big possibility

[Ruthless-RKO]

yes signed to tr now, makes me think him vs loma is a big possibility

Should happen within 12 months. Big unification. Then it’s just Tank left with the remaining belt.

[jamamb]

tanks still at 130 i think, berchelt may come up to 135 rather then having loma drop down.

wbc is mikeys at 135, but who knows, with mikey at those other weights and berchelt being wbc 130 pound champ, maybe the wbc would put their belt up for a berchelt-loma fight at lw if mikeys not coming back

[oogiebe]

Is there anything that doesn't point to same result, only maybe quicker this time?

[Autobarn]

Annoys me when reporters keep calling the first fight a fight of the year candidate. First few rounds had some intense exchanges but not for long and Berchelt kept things tight to break Vargas down. Vargas looked in distress and pain throughout, Berchelt had total composure and earned a clear stoppage win.

Berchelt is a superb boxer and I’m certain very few will be favouring Vargas in this one.

[Onetimeonly]

Annoys me when reporters keep calling the first fight a fight of the year candidate. First few rounds had some intense exchanges but not for long and Berchelt kept things tight to break Vargas down. Vargas looked in distress and pain throughout, Berchelt had total composure and earned a clear stoppage win.

Berchelt is a superb boxer and I’m certain very few will be favouring Vargas in this one.

I was thinking I didn't remember the fight. Not even really competitive.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Annoys me when reporters keep calling the first fight a fight of the year candidate. First few rounds had some intense exchanges but not for long and Berchelt kept things tight to break Vargas down. Vargas looked in distress and pain throughout, Berchelt had total composure and earned a clear stoppage win.

Berchelt is a superb boxer and I’m certain very few will be favouring Vargas in this one.

I was thinking I didn't remember the fight. Not even really competitive.

Anything with Vargas gets called ‘FOTY’ automatically.

[klitoris]

Vargas is shot af
Berchelt probably gets him out of there in less than 8

[Cent0089]

Annoys me when reporters keep calling the first fight a fight of the year candidate. First few rounds had some intense exchanges but not for long and Berchelt kept things tight to break Vargas down. Vargas looked in distress and pain throughout, Berchelt had total composure and earned a clear stoppage win.

Berchelt is a superb boxer and I’m certain very few will be favouring Vargas in this one.

Exactly, I was watching Berchelt - Roman fight and comentators was constantly saying something about exciting war. From what i saw, Roman was taking savage beating from stronger man and better boxer and risked permanent brain damage

[Ruthless-RKO]

Berchelt suffered a right hand injury in recent days, forcing him to postpone his rematch with former titlist Francisco Vargas.

Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN on Wednesday that Zanfer Promotions, which co-promotes Berchelt with Top Rank, informed the company of Berchelt's injury over the weekend.

"We're going to try to reschedule the fight as soon as possible, as soon as Berchelt can go. Hopefully, we can do it in May," Moretti said.

Moretti said that Top Rank still intends for the March 23 card to go forward with another main event to be determined and hopes to keep the show at The Forum.

http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/2 ... sco-vargas

[jujigatame]

No reason for this rematch. Berchelt/Davis is the fight to make but nobody is talking about it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Berchelt has advised BS.com that his hand is full healed and that the fight will likely take place on May 11th.

“My hand is feeling great. We are waiting for it to be confirmed but May 11th is supposed to be the date,” said Berchelt.

As for the fight itself, Berchelt said that the fans can expect another great battle and a potential Fight of the Year candidate.

“Tell the fans they shouldn’t miss the fight. I am a fighter who always puts on a great show and this rematch versus Bandito will not be an exception,” Berchelt told
BS.com. “Whenever you have two Mexicans in the ring you are guaranteed a great fight. “

[jamamb]

needless fight, very unhealthy for vargas too, berchelt is one of these guys who really beats ppl down

[Ruthless-RKO]

BS.com previously first reported that the Miguel Berchelt-Francisco Vargas rematch would be rescheduled for May 11th and that WBO super bantamweight champion Emanuel Navarrete would face Isaac Dogboe in an immediate rematch of their December clash that Navarrete won in a major upset.

We have now been advised that the doubleheader will take place at the Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. The fight will be televised live on ESPN.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The May 11 edition of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN will feature a pair of rematches with challengers looking to regain the world titles from the men who defeated them.

Top Rank announced on Monday that a card that was expected has been finalized and will feature rematches between junior lightweight world titlist Miguel Berchelt and Francisco Vargas in the main event and junior featherweight world titlist Emanuel Navarrete taking on Isaac Dogboe in the co-feature at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. Both bouts will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10 p.m. ET with preliminary bouts streaming on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET.

"We're all looking forward to this card. Berchelt-Vargas and Navarrete-Dogboe were incredible action fights the first time around, and the rematches will provide fireworks," Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said.

Berchelt (35-1, 31 KOs) and Vargas (25-1-2, 18 KOs) were originally supposed to meet in a sequel on March 23 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, but the fight was postponed because Berchelt suffered a right hand injury during training camp.

They first met in January 2017 and Berchelt, 27, of Mexico, stopped his countryman Vargas, 34, on cuts in the 11th round of a brutal and bloody fight to win a 130-pound world title. That fight produced great action as they combined to land 760 of 1,979 punches, according to CompuBox punch statistics.

"Francisco Vargas is a great Mexican warrior, just like I am," said Berchelt, who will be making his fifth title defense. "I am training at my best to prove once again that I am not only better than him, but that I am the best 130-pounder in the world."

Vargas won the title from Takashi Miura by comeback ninth-round knockout in the epic 2015 ESPN fight of the year and made one successful defense, a draw with Orlando Salido in the similarly action-packed 2016 ESPN fight of the year.

But severe facial cuts took their toll on Vargas in both bouts and again when he lost the title to Berchelt. Vargas has since had surgery to remove scar tissue and given himself time to heal and has won two fights in a row. He will be coming off a 13-month layoff.

"I have no doubt that 2019 will be my big comeback year," Vargas said. "The three wise men came bearing gifts, and one of them is my highly awaited rematch against Miguel Berchelt on May 11. Like I said before our first fight, Mexicans never back down, and I will show that once again in the ring."

The fight was made thanks to cooperation between rivals Top Rank, which co-promotes Berchelt, and Vargas promoter Golden Boy Promotions.

"The first fight between Francisco Vargas and Miguel Berchelt was a war," said Golden Boy president Eric Gomez. "Vargas came up short that night, but it's been his only loss. Since then, he's gotten a lot better by training with Joel Diaz, so I'm even more confident now that Vargas will get his belt back. Golden Boy Promotions is committed to making the best fights, and we're happy to be working with Top Rank and Zanfer Promotions to make another classic battle."

[Ruthless-RKO]

30 Day Weights: Miguel Berchelt 141.2, Francisco Vargas 142

[Ruthless-RKO]

“We will reach the best condition of our career because Vargas is a warrior and we need to be prepared for 12 rounds of war in the ring. The first fight with Bandido was very hard and the rematch will be even more, but we’ll enter the ring at 100% strength, condition and speed,” said Berchelt.

“Right now all our attention is on Bandido Vargas and our fight May 11, whatever comes later my company will decide whether to make more defenses or unify or go up to lightweight. We’ll see. For now, we expect a great fight with a Mexican warrior in Vargas and we’ll give the fans a memorable fight.

“I’m very grateful to Fernando Beltran, not to mention my longtime agent and friend Mario Abraham. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. I can only respond with dedication and victories.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fazliddin “Fayzi” Gaibnazarov is on the fast track to world title contention. Gaibnazarov, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist for his native Uzbekistan, will face the toughest — and tallest — test of his career against the 6-foot-3 Mykal “The Professor” Fox in a 10-round super lightweight showdown from the Tucson Arena. Fox will have a roughly nine-inch height advantage over Gaibnazarov.

Gaibnazarov-Fox will headline an action-packed slate of fights on ESPN+ —beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

The main card, dubbed “Twice as Nice,” will feature a pair of world championship rematches and will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET. WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “El Alacrán” Berchelt will make the fifth defense of his belt against Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas in a rematch of their 2017 Fight of the Year contender, won by Berchelt via 11th-round knockout. In the co-feature, WBO junior featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete will look to repeat the deed against Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe in a rematch of their Dec. 8 bout, won by Navarrete via unanimous decision.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27 can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or at the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

“I want the best fighters at 140 pounds, and I want them soon,” Gaibnazarov said. “Fox is a step up for me, but I always rise to the occasion as my opposition gets better. I fought and beat the world’s best fighters as an amateur, and I will do the same as a professional. 2019 is going to be my year.”

“Most guys would take a step down in competition after a loss, but there is nothing to gain from that. Gaibnazorov is not to be taken lightly but neither am I,” Fox said. “I’m looking to secure a win and get back on the ball. An undefeated Olympian is a hell of a choice to try and do that with, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Plus, the list of guys who will fight me, despite losing, is very short. I’m grateful and looking forward to doing battle with an Olympian.”

Gaibnazarov (7-0, 4 KOs) turned pro in 2017 following a storied amateur career that included a pair of Olympic berths, the gold medal in 2016 and victories over the likes of current promotional stablemate and WBC super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez. He turned pro in scheduled eight-rounders and has yet to be seriously challenged in the paid ranks. After going 3-0 in 2018, he made his 2019 debut on Jan. 19 in Verona, New York, stopping Ricardo Garcia in four rounds.

Fox (19-1, 5 KOs), a native of Forestville, Maryland, has befuddled most of his professional opponents with his long southpaw jab. In his last outing, Feb. 15 in Mulvane, Kansas, the upset-minded Fox was on the short end of a 10-round unanimous decision to top prospect Shohjahon Ergashev. Despite a pair of 98-92 scorecards, many ringside observers believed Fox did enough to earn a draw.

In other action on ESPN+:

** Albuquerque native and top featherweight prospect Jason Sanchez (14-0, 7 KOs) will face former world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos (19-6, 15 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

** Phoenix native Carlos Castro (22-0, 9 KOs) will defend his WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight belt in a 10-rounder against Mario Alberto Diaz (18-2, 7 KOs). Castro is coming off an upset win over former world title challenger Genesis Servania in February.

** Three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga (27-3, 23 KOs) returns to action in an eight-round featherweight bout against Naciff Martinez (23-10-3, 9 KOs).

** Super lightweight prospect Miguel Parra (16-1-1, 11 KOs) hopes to make it eight wins in a row versus David Morales (13-10, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

** Tucson-based middleweight prospect Manny Guajardo (4-0, 0 KOs) will look to impress the hometown fans in a four-rounder against Jonathan Espino (2-3, 2 KOs).

** In a four-round welterweight rematch featuring a pair of local favorites, Nogales’ Judas Estrada (1-1-1, 1 KO) will face Tucson’s Christopher Gonzalez (3-0-1, 0 KOs). Estrada and Gonzalez fought to a draw last November in a crowd-pleasing brawl.

** Phoenix native Carlos Velasquez (1-0, 0 KOs) will face an opponent to be named in a four-rounder at lightweight.

[Cent0089]

This rematch reminds me Kovalev - Pascal 2. First one was entertaining, but Kovalev clearly beat Pascal on the way to TKO. despite Pascal had his moments. Rematch was one sided beating. I think this one will be similar. Only chance for Vargas is lucky punch. Berchelt will walk him down and get stoppage inside 5 rounds IMO

[Ruthless-RKO]

This rematch reminds me Kovalev - Pascal 2. First one was entertaining, but Kovalev clearly beat Pascal on the way to TKO. despite Pascal had his moments. Rematch was one sided beating. I think this one will be similar. Only chance for Vargas is lucky punch. Berchelt will walk him down and get stoppage inside 5 rounds IMO

Big shout. Doubt the corner will stop it. Vargas will have to be KO’d or the ref will stop it.

I think the first bout was stopped in the 11th?

Vargas wasn’t the same after the Salido fight.