If you took a look at the resume of Emiliano Vargas, you’d be hard-pressed to find any recognizable names. Chastisement isn’t called for, however. Simply put, he’s slowly making his way up the lightweight ladder. This Friday night, he’ll take another small step in the right direction.
On the undercard of Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle, the 19-year-old Vargas will face off against Nelson Hampton. On paper, Hampton is being used as a stepping stone or a building block if you will, as Vargas looks to make it nine wins in a row.
For now, Vargas (8-0, 7 KOs) is enjoying the slow and somewhat mundane process he’s undergoing in the hopes of becoming, much like his father, a popular star. With zero stripes to his name, nevertheless, Vargas knows good and well that he has no right calling out any of the lightweight division’s top names. With that said, he’s hopeful that the work he’s been putting in will be enough to land him a big-time opportunity one day in the near future.
“I’m looking to fight anybody with a title or a big name down the road,” explained Vargas to Tru School Sports. “At the end of the day, if it makes sense, it makes sense.”
Currently, the 135-pound division is stacked with talent but it’s unlikely, considering his age, that Vargas squares off with the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, or Frank Martin.
But while those established vets will likely be on their way out the door by the time Vargas makes a name for himself, that doesn’t mean he won’t have a clear rival.
Abdullah Mason, also 19, has turned plenty of heads lately. He’s skillful, has shown off one-punch knockout power, and charisma when he smiles into the camera. With both fighters campaigning in the same division, naturally, friction will be baked between them.
It doesn’t make much sense to entertain a showdown with him just yet but Vargas recently admitted that his fellow 19-year-old could be the Mayweather to his Pacquiao.
“If he has a title down the line, let’s do it. I’m a have a title down the line. It’s gonna be a big, big super fight.”