A piss up in Acapulco then a punch up in Miami: Joel Casamayor and Yoni Vargas

By Clinton Mollett

16.12 - If we use Joel Casamayor and Yoni Vargas as an example of friendship, then it would seem that old friendships never die. But when this game of pain calls for it, you better be ready to beat the living day lights out of your best friend. In this business you leave your friendship at ringside if you ever have to glove up against your best buddy because this game is unforgiving and pitting close friends against each other will be done at the drop of a dime.....if there is a dime to be made in it. Both Casamayor and Vargas realize this and they know that putting a world of hurt on each other will prove to be lucrative.....adleast for the winner.

Since the fight between former WBA 130lb champion/reigning IBO champion Joel Casamayor and NABO 130 lb champion Yoni Vargas was first announced, these guys have shown nothing but respect for each other. It came as no surprise to everyone when Vargas confirmed that he and Casamayor are close friends and have been since they meet at the Olympic training village in Mexico in 1994.

He and Casamayor like to joke that it was Vargas that drove Casamayor and Ramon Garbey across the border when the two Cuban fighters defected to the US. While he didn't really do that, he and Casamayor maintained their friendship over the years and once Casamayor did defect, the pair meet up in Acapulco, Mexico and went drinking.

"We had some adventures", recalled Vargas. "We were a bit drunk and these two guys on the street tried to pick a fight with us. Joel and I couldn't stop laughing. These guys had no idea who we were. If we had of fought them it would not have been pretty for them. Those party days are over now, these days they meet in the gym. ''We are both professionals. We both know this business. Our friendship will always be there after the fight is over but right now, we're getting ready to hurt each other. Sometimes in boxing you got to beat up your friends", said Yoni Vargas.

On Vargas, Casamayor had this to say."This is the snake bite effect. I have sparred Yoni for over 100 rounds. I gave him his experience. He is a very good man and a very good, strong fighter. Now we must fight. The snake I have been petting has to turn around and bite me. But I have nothing bad to say about Yoni. I have nothing but good feelings for him. When the fighting is done our friendship will remain.

When told of Vargas' recollection of a night out drinking with Casamayor in Acapulco, Mexico some years ago, Casamayor exploded into laughter. Casamayor would concur, "this story is true". "We were drinking and these two guys on the street want to fight us. Can you imagine if we take this fight? We would put this two guys in the hospital! they keep saying, come on hit us! and Yoni and I wouldn't do it. We don't fight on the street. We would hurt these guys!.

"There are lots of stories we could tell you except it would upset our wives", Casamayor said." We used to party but that was a long time ago. Yoni and I always stay in touch, always made time for each other. "Most good fighters will tell you that yes, this is the only sport in the world where you end up fighting people you like, but the only way I can explain this is to say there is a victory in fighting someone you have respect for, someone you admire. It brings out the best in you, it brings out the man in you."

"I know we will fight like warriors," said Casamayor. "We will fight like champions. And will the two talents be drinking in Acapulco again after the fight? "We won't have to go as far as Acapulco," said Casamayor,"We can hang out right here. But we can't drink alcohol. I stopped drinking. I don't even drink beer now. But I will drink orange juice with him. Yes, I will drink orange juice with my good friend and I will say, "great fight, Yoni''.

This fight will take place at The American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida on the 20th December. As part of the Team Freedom-promoted event (which will be the last live ESPN2 boxing telecast for 2002), legendary trainer Angelo Dundee will be honored in a special ceremony.

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