Jessie Vargas Returns To Action, Wants To Fight Keith Thurman
It’s been more than a year since fans got to see former WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in action, but the Mexican fighter impressed in his return bout.
In the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card televised on FS1, Vargas dominated Aaron Herrera, dropping Herrera en route to a wide unanimous decision victory (100-89, 100-89, 100-89). It was Vargas’ first fight since losing the WBO welterweight title to Manny Pacquiao on pay-per-view in November 2016. In the sixth round, Herrera was hit by a left hook that initially stunned him and then a combination by Vargas put him down for the round.
Since losing the WBO title, the welterweight title landscape has undergone a few changes. Keith Thurman unified the WBA and WBC titles, Errol Spence Jr. won the IBF welterweight title against Kell Brook and Pacquiao lost his title to Jeff Horn in his first title defense. Despite the recent title changes, Vargas is dead set on fighting for a world title soon and has stated he would like to fight the likes of Thurman and Spence should Spence defeat Lamont Peterson in January.
“I’m ready for anyone. I’m going to start preparing tomorrow for anyone. I’m looking forward to facing Keith Thurman, the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Lamont Peterson winner, or Danny Garcia. I’m back and I’m ready to stay busy and get back in the ring as soon as possible to reach my goals,” Vargas said after the fight.
Vargas, a two-division world champion, is 28-2 as a pro boxer, but has lost two of his last four fights coming against Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. The FS1 co-main event saw once-beaten welterweight Jamal James pick up a third-round knockout over former interim WBA welterweight champion Diego Chaves.
