When I hear the word dynasty, I immediately think of the greatest sports teams ever assembled. Teams like the New York Yankees, the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers, Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, and Tom Brady’s New England Patriots are considered sports dynasties. These teams dominated their leagues and set themselves apart from their contemporaries by winning multiple championships consistently within a few years of each other.
The term dynasty is usually reserved for team sports. It is virtually unheard of in individual sports such as boxing. However, the Vargas brothers are looking to be the first such “franchise” within boxing to do it. They have stamped themselves the Vargas Dynasty. Fernando Vargas Jr (13-0, 12 KOs) and his brothers Amado and Emiliano are the sons of famed two-time world champion and boxing icon Fernando Vargas. The pugilistic trio of brothers are looking to become boxing’s first true dynasty.
FightsATW.com recently talked to Ferando Vargas Jr., 27, from Oxnard, California. We got his take on what a boxing dynasty means in a sport where individual accomplishments are the measures for determining success and what he has planned for in 2024.
Vargas Jr. fought six times last year. That’s a lot of fighting by today’s measure for a boxer. For Vargas, the 2024 boxing year kicks off in a few weeks. He is scheduled to fight on March 16 in Stockton, California, and plans to be just as busy this year as he was last year.
“We were active 2023, I’m 27, I came in the game a little late, so we racked up those fights. My promoter, MarvNation, is looking for bigger and better fights this year. We are looking at co-promotions with a lot of bigger stables. We did a co-promotion with Yoka (Valle) and Seniesa (Estrada). A lot of things are possible when you get these promoters to work with each other. I’m looking to step up the competition and solidify my name in the 147-pound division,” said Vargas Jr.
There is much information to download and learn from when a boxer fights six times a year. I asked the California native what his most brutal fight had been last year and what he had learned from it.
“Probably my last one. It was my debut on DAZN, so I felt a bit of pressure of being on DAZN,” said Junior. Vargas continued, “Having more eyes on me felt good. Many people showed up, and we got a lot of support because of my pop and what he did, what he represented, and the type of fighter he was. I’m very appreciative of everybody that supports me.”
So, what does a dynasty look like in the eyes of Fernando Vargas Jr.?
“It means keep winning. I believe in my team. With the right guidance, winning a world title will be very reachable. So, I just got to listen to my team and listen to the people that have been there, which is my dad. My dad reached the highest level, and I’m looking to do that while looking to write my own story. There have never been three fighters from a world-champion father; we want to write our history. It’s going to take one fight at a time, and trust our team to take us to that destination.” said Junior confidently.
Fernando Vargas Senior is respected for his ferocious boxing style, never backing down from any challenge. He has shared the ring with some of boxing’s greatest champions and was part of boxing’s most incredible battles of the late 90s and early 2000s. However, these hardened battles contributed to Vargas’ early retirement from the sport before turning thirty. It’s why he is so meticulously involved in developing his sons’ professional careers. How does Junior feel about his progression over the last three years? I inquired.
“I think just more experience. More ring time sparring with different fighters like Kell Brook, Terence Crawford, and Shawn Porter, the list continues. I think all these world champions that I’ve been in the ring with and getting that experience helps a lot. You get confident sparring and with more fights. I have beautiful boxing ability. I could punch with either hand. I’m a strong southpaw with a walk-you-down slick style, but go to the body like a Mexican,” said the California native.
If you haven’t watched the Vargas brothers, they are dripped with confidence and are all swag. They command a room when they enter it and are the perfect blend of bravado and class. Their personalities and the fame of their iconic boxing dad are a breeding ground for haters. Has Junior had any beefs, or has anyone called him out to a fight?
Junior said, “Man, we see it, but it just means we’re doing something good. So, I’m not going to go ahead and put out nobody’s name or give them a pedestal. But yeah, certain gyms we go to, we’ll stop them in sparring, and everyone wants to take our head off; we’re just the little Vargas brothers-we’re my dad’s son, supposedly, right?”
Team Vargas hopes to be ranked in the top three by year’s end. Vargas Jr, who goes by “El Feroz” like his father once did, has yet to determine who his opponent will be on March 16. However, he knows that the journey towards achieving dynasty status continues with a victory regardless of who they put before him.
“I can’t wait for my fight on March 16. I can’t wait to be out there in Stockton, CA. We appreciate all fight fans. If you appreciate boxing and you like a throwback style of fighting, you’re going to appreciate the Vargas dynasty because that’s what we bring; we will see you March 16,” concluded Junior with a message to his fans.
My Take:
Boxing has had its share of famous “boxing families.” The Mayweathers are one of boxing’s premier families. The Garcia family has produced multiple world champions and trainers. The Judah family from Brooklyn, New York, are highly respected, too. But none of the boxing families have achieved what the Vargas brothers are attempting to do. According to my research, if the Vargas brothers all win world titles, they, alongside their famous father, will be the first family to do so. Fernando Vargas Jr. has the perfect blend of boxing skills and tenacity. Along with the guidance of his legendary father, Junior can be the one to jumpstart the dynasty with a world title win, possibly as early as next year.
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