The Big Debate: Fernando Vargas vs. Javier Castillejo

Well fight fans, welcome to the latest edition of “The Big Debate”. We have another great fight weekend with HBO bringing us a solid card live from the All State Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The main event features the Aztec Warrior, “El Feroz”, Ferocious

Fernando Vargas, (25-2-0 with 22 KOs) taking on the Spaniard, “El Lince de Parla”, Javier Castillejo (58-5-0 with 39 KOs). At first glimpse, it seems that the twenty-seven year old two-time world champion from Oxnard, California will have an easy night against the thirty-seven year old Castillejo. Add in the fact that “El Lince De Parla” has been involved in thirty-six more fights than Vargas and the odds get even better. The thing to remember fight fans is that “El Feroz” has taken on nothing but topnotch competition, and has been involved in some brutal wars within those twenty-seven fights, taking something out of him. This fight is really between to naturally big and strong junior middleweights that are past their best days. The very interesting question here is, at this stage of their careers, who has more left? There is only one way to find out! Here is why I think that “El Feroz” Ferocious Fernando Vargas will win this Saturday night.

Although a very old twenty-seven years old, Vargas still does possess a younger man’s body as compared to Castillejo. Also, Vargas is making his way back from a fifteen-month layoff, as this is his second fight since recovering from back injuries. “El Feroz” last fought on March 26, 2005, winning a ten round unanimous decision over middleweight Raymond Joval. I am one that really does prefer activity in fighters but in Fernando’s case, I think the recent layoff restored him a little and we should see even more improvement in this fight because the ring rust should be completely off. As for the thirty-six year old Spaniard, his last fight was over fourteen months ago against a nondescript opponent. That kind of inactivity does not benefit an aged pugilist, especially when one is reaching the stage in which the reflexes are just not the same anymore.

In terms of talent, there is no comparison. I am not saying that the Spaniard is without skills, as anyone who has ever seen him knows that the man is a solid operator! Castillejo, although not a murderous puncher, does have decent power, and has a nice array of punches that he unleashes on his opponents. I personally love his uppercut, as it is quick and has some decent pop behind it. Still, with all of that said, Javier is at best a “B-plus Level” fighter who has feasted on lesser boxers in his career. Vargas, on the other hand, is a former Olympian and former amateur stand out who won several regional, state, and national titles. There was a time in Fernando’s career when he displayed the kind of controlled aggression, smooth boxing skills, and concrete fundamentals that made him the best 154-pound fighter on the planet and a champion after only fourteen fights. Include the fact that Vargas has faced world class opposition, and the gap widens even further. If “El Feroz” is right about his new trainer Danny Smith, then we should see a much more controlled, defensive minded “Aztec Warrior” unleashing quick combinations and sidestepping the return fire.

Finally, power! As I mentioned before, “El Lince de Parla” has decent power, but nowhere near the kind of world class punch that Vargas possesses. Fernando’s right hand carries some serious concussive, brain rattling power. Add in a fast, sharp, hard, chin checking left hook, and Castillejo is going to have to really be on his toes and hide that chin. Javier does have a solid set of whiskers, but I do not think it has ever been tested the way that “El Feroz” will on Saturday night. If Vargas can hold up to the incoming artillery, as his jaw has failed him before, and capture some of his early career aggression, a late round stoppage is not out of the question, although a unanimous decision is more likely.

What is your take on this fight Curtis?

Superb points Sergio, you’ve really covered the bases but I do think that a few things you’ve mentioned might actually work in favor of Castillejo. The first of which is experience. The Spaniard has been in many championship bouts, 18 in fact. 7 full WBC title fights along with 2 Interim WBC, 1 WBA and 8 European championship contests. That’s a lot of pressure handled by Castillejo and speaking of pressure, it’s all going to be on Vargas, who knows that a shoddy performance will set him back but a loss will bury any dreams of regaining his former status and titles.

Vargas is clearly the higher skilled fighter but does he want this contest more than Castillejo? I don’t know about that and I think that we may see Castillejo draw Vargas into a slugfest where the Californian has shown in the past to be at risk for running out of gas. Both Oscar and Trinidad provided sterling examples on how to defeat Vargas and tapes on those bouts shouldn’t be difficult for Team Castillejo to acquire and analyze. Whether or not the Spaniard can reproduce the results those two great fighters achieved against Vargas is doubtful but Castillejo did last the distance against De La Hoya where as Vargas clearly did not.That in and of itself must be worth something in regards to Castillejo’s confidence and possibly Vargas’ lack of it.

Logically, it’s hard to pick against Vargas in this bout but I think the European veteran just may have the smarts, toughness, chin and heart to take Fernando late into the fight and then apply the kind of pressure that has broken Vargas before.

Contact Sergio Martinez at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com

Contact Curtis McCormick at thomaspointrd@aol.com