By Cassandra Cousineau for LVSportsBiz.com
The meaning of pride is understood as possessing self-respect, feeling of being good and worthy, and satisfaction with one’s own achievement. With the exception of the last part, Jessie Vargas — the man they call The Pride of Las Vegas — checks all of those boxes.
Vargas, a self-described “old school” fighter, is still chasing a career-defining win — one he hopes to earn today against fellow Mexican-American star Mikey Garcia. The two will headline the event available on streaming service DAZN, live from The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Connected to the corporate headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, Ford Center is a 12,000-seat stadium and practice field for the NFL team.
With a record of 29-2-2 with 11 KOs, Vargas is a former world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBA (Regular) and IBO super lightweight titles in 2014, and the WBO welterweight title in 2016. Already considered a veteran of the division, the Las Vegas boxer is looking to restart his climb back into a championship fight against Garcia.
“Mikey wants to prove himself at 147. He’s a good fighter and I’m not going to take anything away from him. However, I have even more to prove,” Vargas told LVSportsBiz.com.
”We have a great platform and we’re going to give you all excitement and all entertainment. I promise you that I will bring fireworks,” he said.
Men and women who fight for a living are indelibly linked to the notion of pride. At times, it creates stagnation when a boxer admires his achievement too long. Vargas is looking ahead, just not passed Garcia. “Before anything, the prize is beating Mikey Garcia.”
In addition to their boxing commitments, both Vargas and Garcia are businessmen creating multiple opportunities for themselves. The 30-year-old Vargas maintains a busy schedule outside of the ring.
He has a young daughter and has also began a career in broadcasting calling fights ringside on DAZN. When he’s not in camp, he’s taking courses at the College of Southern Nevada. “Right now I’m just taking the basic courses and making my way towards finishing my degree.”
Meanwhile, Mikey Garcia (39-1) is also finding success as an entrepreneur.
In January, he announced the launch of his “Pound for Pound CBD.” It’s a recovery product line designed to promote restoration, and relief for those experiencing pain, soreness, and even anxiety. The product is free of THC, the main ingredient found in marijuana. “Most fighters don’t carry health insurance. Medicine can be expensive and CBD can be an effective alternative. I want my product without THC so you won’t test positive. ” Garcia said.
Garcia along with Vargas is committed to clean boxing. The two agreed to expensive VADA testing for their fight. “I stand for clean boxing. It’s a tough sport that demands extensive physical activity,” Vargas said.
Garcia added, “Every athlete should be tested. It should be done in a clean matter.”
Although there isn’t a formal championship at stake, the World Boxing Council (WBC) Board of Governors has agreed to honor the winner of the fight its iconic Diamond Belt. Some of the past winners of Diamond belts include Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins and Canelo Alvarez — all big names in the sport.
Vargas is the underdog against Garcia. Should he pull off the upset, he will return to Nevada with more than pride. He’ll find himself back in a crowded mix of welterweight contenders.
“Every fighter wants to become a world champion,” the Las Vegan said. “I’ve done that twice already in this weight class, and now I want to become World champion for a third time before moving up to 154.”
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