Blink and you missed it: Madison Square Garden bout over in seconds
Emiliano Vargas took less than a minute to see off Alexander Espinoza in New York on Saturday, before declaring: “I’m going to be a world champion real soon.”
Emiliano “El General” Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs) continues to prove he’s one of boxing’s brightest young stars. The 20-year-old delivered a thunderous first-round knockout over Alexander Espinoza (20-4-1) on the undercard of the Xander Zayas vs Jorge “Chino” García event at Madison Square Garden.
The fight didn’t even last a full minute. Just 42 seconds into the opening round, Vargas landed a crushing right hand to Espinoza’s head, sending the Ecuadorian fighter crashing to the canvas. Espinoza attempted to rise but couldn’t beat the count, prompting the referee to wave off the bout.
“I’m coming for all the belts”
Vargas is trained by his father, former world champion Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas, who held the IBF and WBA light middleweight titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, Emiliano is carving his own path in the sport, with his sights set on the super lightweight crown.
“Twenty-six years ago, my dad fought here, and history repeats itself,” Vargas said after the bout. “If I could be half as great as my father was, I’ll make it a long way.” He added: “I’m going to be a world champion real soon […]. I’m coming for all the belts.”
Fernando Vargas fought once at Madison Square Garden, defeating Britain’s Howard Clarke by fourth-round TKO on March 13, 1999, to retain his IBF light middleweight title.
Who could Vargas fight next?
Vargas called Espinoza the most experienced opponent he’s faced to date and said he had trained for 15 rounds, ready to go the distance if needed. Instead, he made a statement with a quick finish and declared himself ready for the top names at 138 pounds.
Among the division’s elite are Teófimo López, Subriel Matías, Andy Hiraoka and Richardson Hitchins - fighters Vargas says he’s preparing to face in the near future.
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