26.01.05 – He’s been an Olympian, World Champion and battled such greats as Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. Now boxing superstar “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas is bringing his hard punching act to Corpus Christi, Texas. The 27 year old Vargas (25-2, 23 KO’s) will headline Corpus Christi’s biggest boxing event ever on Saturday, March 26 at the new American Bank Center when Miller Lite and Main Events presents… FERNANDO, A FEROCIOUS FIGHT NIGHT..
Vargas will be featured in a ten-round Middleweight main event, one of seven fights scheduled on a card that begins at 7:00 p.m. Vargas will take on a yet to be named opponent, which is to be announced at a Media Conference next Tuesday, February 1 in Corpus Christi. Vargas will be attending the Media Conference, which is scheduled for 1:00 pm at the American Bank Center. The Public is invited as well. The remainder of the card will be announced at that time.
The March 26 event will mark the second time that HBO will be televising live from Corpus Christi. Back in October of 2001, Angel Manfredy dueled Julio Diaz at Memorial Coliseum, HBO’s first ever event from the Coastal Bend city.
Tickets for the event are priced at $100 (Ringside), $75, $50, $35 and $25 (Reserved), plus service charges Tickets to the public go on sale next Wednesday, February 2 at all Ticketmaster Outlets and the American Bank Center box office. Tickets may also be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 361-881-8499.
VIP Packages are available for seating in the first eight rows by calling 817-296-4546 or email wlbedford@aol.com.
Many World Champions have fought in Corpus Christi over the past two decades, but perhaps none with bigger stature than Vargas. The boxing world first took notice of the fast and furious Los Angeles native as a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team.
Shortly after the Atlanta Games, Vargas started fast professionally, reeling off 21 straight wins while capturing the IBF World Jr. Middleweight title from Mexican superstar Yory Boy Campas on December 12, 1998. Vargas would make five successful world title defenses, including wins over highly regarded champions Raul Marquez, Winky Wright and Ike Quartay.
Vargas would not suffer his first loss until December 2, 2000, when he was stopped in the 12th round by the legendary champion from Puerto Rico, Felix Trinidad. His only other loss came at the hands of another future Hall of Famer, Oscar De La Hoya, on September 14, 2002, after an 11 round war in Las Vegas. Vargas last fought on December 12, 2003 before taking time off from the ring to heal a back injury.
This will also mark the return to Corpus Christi of promoter Main Events, who presented many of the major fights there in the late 1980’s and 1990s, including bouts featuring Frankie Warren, Evander Holyfield, Hector Camacho and other boxing stars. For Main Events CEO, Kathy Duva, bringing Vargas will be special.
“All of us at Main Events and especially Fernando are very excited about the event being in Corpus Christi,” said Duva. “We’ve had an opportunity to do a lot a major fights there over the years and know what a great fight town it is.”
According to Duva, Main Events had an opportunity to put the event several places before choosing Corpus Christi. “It came down to the great fans there who have earned the right to see a superstar like Vargas. And with the new arena (American Bank Center), it all made sense to bring the event there. We’re looking forward to Corpus Christi’s biggest fight night ever. It’s going to be exciting for everyone.”