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05/26/2005 Archived Entry: "Windy City Hosting August 20 HBO Doubleheader: Fernando Vargas & Rocky Juarez!"
Windy City Hosting August 20 HBO Doubleheader: Fernando Vargas & Rocky Juarez!
Chicago's Allstate Arena to Host Vargas Return to Jr Middleweight; Rocky Juarez to Challenge for WBC Featherweight Crown
Fernando Vargas is coming to Chicago (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
BLOOMFIELD, NJ (May 26, 2005) - “ Two-time jr. middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas returns to the 154 lb. division on August 20 when he battles in a 12 round main event bout against WBC jr. middleweight champion Javier Castillejo at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. In the 12 round co-feature bout, undefeated WBC/IBF #1 ranked featherweight contender Rocky Juarez vies for his first world title when he challenges WBC featherweight champion In Jin Chi in a potential "Fight of the Year" candidate. Both bouts will be broadcast live on HBO.
Tickets will be available for purchase in June.
It has not been determined yet whether the 12 round bout between Vargas and Castillejo will be sanctioned as a WBC jr. middleweight championship contest.
Vargas (26-2, 23 KO's) is a two-time jr. middleweight champion. The 27-year-old Oxnard, CA native became the youngest jr. middleweight world champion in boxing history (21 years and 5 days old) on December 12, 1998, when he dismantled defending IBF champion Yory Boy Campas in seven rounds (TKO 7). Vargas regained a world jr. middleweight crown on September 22, 2001, when he stopped Jose "Shibata" Flores to earn the WBA jr. middleweight championship (KO 7). Vargas, one of the sport's most popular boxers, has won his last three bouts. In his last bout on March 26, 2005, Vargas decisioned Raymond Joval (W 10).
Castillejo (58-5, 39 KO's) is recognized as the WBC jr. middleweight champion. The 37-year-old Madrid, Spain native has won 21 of his last 22 bouts, losing only to Oscar de la Hoya by decision on June 23, 2001 (L 12). Castillejo was named the WBC champion after the WBC stripped Ronald "Winky" Wright for refusing to defend his crown against Castillejo. Wright elected instead to challenge Felix "Tito" Trinidad on May 14, 2005.
Chi (30-2-1, 18 KO's) captured the vacant WBC featherweight title on April 10, 2004, when he knocked out Michael Brodie in the seventh round of their rematch (KO 7). The first bout ended in a draw. The 31-year-old Seoul, Korea native first attempted to win the WBC crown on July 28, 2001, losing a unanimous decision to then-champion Erik Morales (L 12). Prior to that bout Chic had not lost since 1991. In his last bout on January 30, 2005, Chi successfully defended his WBC title for the second time by decisioning Tommy Browne (W 12).
Juarez (23-0, 16 KO's) was a 2000 U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist. The 25-year-old Houston, TX native dazzled boxing insiders with the ease in which he dispatched his last two opponents. Juarez demolished former world champion Guty Espadas in two rounds on December 3, 2004, and destroyed perennial contender Juan Carlos Ranchero Ramirez in one round on March 4, 2005. Juarez is ranked #1 by both the WBC and IBF, and is ranked #3 by The Ring magazine.
Main Events will promote the evening of boxing.
