Liam Smith vs. Jessie Vargas | DAZN - 30 April 2022

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Jessie Vargas, Liam Smith agree to terms on 154-pound fight in late January in Las Vegas, sources say

Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith have agreed to terms for a 154-pound fight on Jan. 28 or Jan. 29 in Las Vegas that will headline Matchroom Boxing on DAZN, multiple sources tell ESPN.

The matchup of former champions has been discussed for over a year but finally comes to fruition on the heels of Smith's knockout of Anthony Fowler last month.

"It's a fight I've wanted for some time and one I'm very confident of winning in style," Smith told ESPN.

The 33-year-old Smith suffered a controversial decision loss to Magomed Kurbanov in May before rebounding with the win over Fowler to set up another meaningful fight on the world level.

One of four fighting brothers from Liverpool, England, Smith made two defenses of his 154-pound title before he was stopped by Canelo Alvarez in 2016. Liam's younger brother, Callum, was outpointed by Alvarez in December.

While Smith (30-3-1, 17 KOs) fought twice this year, Vargas (29-3-2, 11 KOs) will end a career-long 23-month layoff when he returns. The Las Vegas native dropped a decision to Mikey Garcia in that February 2020 bout at welterweight, and will now gear up for a title chase in a third weight class.

The 32-year-old won titles at 140 pounds and 147, but will make his 154-pound debut against Smith.

Earlier this month, Vargas announced he's campaigning as a republican for Nevada's Fourth U.S. Congressional District. The primary is in June with the election to follow in November.

"We need change, and it starts with proper leaders who will look out for the best interest of their constituents," Vargas told ESPN. "Representing my community is my No. 1 priority. It's the fight that matters to me!"

Before then, he has another fight to worry about, and a win could help launch his campaign.

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Matchroom head Eddie Hearn is looking to add Liam Smith vs. Jessie Vargas to the undercard of the December 7th rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia. Hearn had hoped to match former two division world champion Vargas (29-2-2, 11 KOs) against WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia, but the fight has never come off.

[brilo33]

i like liam , tough inside fighter. good hands as welll

[keirw]

Should be a good fight this, winner will be deserving of a title shot.

Not liking the idea of it being in Saudi, would make a great headliner in Liverpool.

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Liam Smith Hopes To Face Jessie Vargas in Next Outing

Liam Smith claimed bragging rights in Liverpool as he stopped Anthony Fowler in round eight of their super welterweight showdown.

The two men were going head to head at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, on a Matchroom Boxing event that was broadcast live on DAZN.

After a tough opening round, Smith (30-3-1, 17 KOs) began to dominate proceedings and it looked like it could have been over when he dropped Fowler (15-2, 12 KOs) in round five.

Fowler showed toughness to get up, but Smith continued to dictate how the fight went, and after dropping Fowler again in round eight, the referee waved it off and Smith came out on top in the local derby.

Smith would now like to get a fight made with former two division world champion Jessie Vargas.

Smith said: “It was a great fight and I knew it would be competitive, especially for the first six rounds. He’s a quality fighter when he’s fresh, but I said all along about experience. I feel I’ve got a good enough chin at this level as I’ve been hit by bigger punchers.

“I started slow, but then I did a good job after that. I thought it was over in the fifth, so he did well getting up. I let him off the hook a bit in the next round too.

“I had to make it personal on my own behalf, as if I lost I was finished, so I had to do something to switch it on. Hopefully we can make the Jessie Vargas fight now. Thank you to everyone who came out, it was a night I’ll never forget.”

[margaret thatcher]

eddie hearn loves jesse vargas for some reason

garcia vs vargas being a 10m fight was utterly bizzare

[stujones]

I like Jessie Vargas but he is no light Middleweight....the size could be telling.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Can Liam fight at MW ? Some big domestic fights there for him.

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Liam Smith vs Jessie Vargas in the works for January

Eddie Hearn has been trying to pit Liam Smith against Jessie Vargas for a few years now, but it looks like the latest attempt may actually come to fruition. Dan Rafael reports that a deal is in the works for the pair to fight in Las Vegas this coming January.

Vargas (29-3-2, 11 KO) hasn’t fought since March of last year, when he lost a highly competitive unanimous decision to Mikey Garcia. The 32-year-old presently sits at 2-2-2 in his last six, wins over Aaron Herrera and an ancient Humberto Soto offset by losses to Garcia and Manny Pacquiao alongside consecutive draws against Adrien Broner and Thomas Dulorme.

He’s long talked about moving to 154 pounds after claiming titles at 140 and 147, and he’ll be jumping right into the deep end against Smith (30-3-1, 17 KO). “Beefy” has scored four knockouts in five fights since falling to Jaime Munguia, recently bouncing back from a highly questionable loss to Magomed Kurbanov by stopping Anthony Fowler last month.

Despite being within spitting distance of a WBO title shot, Smith made clear that he wanted a crack at Vargas, and he may end up getting his wish.

[GreenLightning]

Very winnable for Smith

[stujones]

I think Garcia's showings at 147 is something to consider, it showed Vargas is no 147 pounder. If this was a mythical lb for lb fight at an optimal weight, then I think Vargas is a level above, but at 154 it's a weight advantage for Smith

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[GreenLightning]

Running as a republican too, although like most others I can't actually decipher any real policy beliefs from his announcement other than vague platitudes after he says he's not like the other politicians

Edit: on closer inspection seems to be standard right wing stuff, anti choice etc.

[margaret thatcher]

his electoral district is new and has only had 4 elections, 3 won by democrats. though i think the democrats are unpopular atm?

[GreenLightning]

his electoral district is new and has only had 4 elections, 3 won by democrats. though i think the democrats are unpopular atm?

Had some dire results the other day, Vargas says he's not your usual politician but his policies are just your usual republican fare

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[peter barlow]

Couldn't understand this until I heard Eddie owes Vargas a fight

[margaret thatcher]

my man ed loves him some jesse vargas

[JxhDel.]

Good one, winnable by both. Beefy will be there to snatch another title opportunity.

[KiwiRider]

A war of attrition, between two tough guys that will likely land in the judges hands.
If either guy can get a stoppage I will be very surprised.
I'm backing Beefy to edge a decision on my card, feck knows how the judges will see it because I think it will be close.

[margaret thatcher]

i like beefcakes by closeish decision, he's the steadier and stronger guy. vargas can fight somewhat explosively in patches with 1-2s, but is pretty easy to hit and switches off too much during fights

[brilo33]

if the fights in liverpool,id go beefy he has a lot of experince fighting these type of fighters now, he is good inside now tough .jessie will win if smith aint on it from the start

[margaret thatcher]

in vegas

[KiwiRider]

if the fights in liverpool,id go beefy he has a lot of experince fighting these type of fighters now, he is good inside now tough .jessie will win if smith aint on it from the start

It was quite a decisive dismantling and stoppage of Fowler. It showed to me he has still got it. Real spiteful work.

[brilo33]

in vegas

then smith going have to set the tempo, but he is pressure fighter too its very winable

[brilo33]

if the fights in liverpool,id go beefy he has a lot of experince fighting these type of fighters now, he is good inside now tough .jessie will win if smith aint on it from the start

It was quite a decisive dismantling and stoppage of Fowler. It showed to me he has still got it. Real spiteful work.

yea agree he has that nastyness about him beat up ur rib cage fighter