Rey Vargas
RECORD
35 - 0 - 0
KOs
22
A seven-time amateur National Champion in Mexico, Rey Vargas captured a world title at 122-pounds and now looks to do the same at 126 pounds. Read Bio
Last Fight
Win vs Mark Magsayo
Jul 09, 2022 / San Antonio, Texas
Rey Vargas WINS against Mark Magsayo by SD in Round 12 of 12
Videos
Latest News
Rey Vargas News
Jul 10, 2022 /
Magsayo vs Vargas, Rey Vargas, Mark Magsayo, Brandon Figueroa, Carlos Castro, Frank Martin
Rey Vargas Outpoints Mark Magsayo, Becomes Two-Division Champ
Vargas rises from a knockdown and overcomes a spirited effort from Mark Magsayo to become the new WBC World Featherweight Champion in the main event of an action-packed Premier Boxing Champions event Saturday night on SHOWTIME.
Jul 8, 2022 /
Magsayo vs Vargas, Rey Vargas
Rey Vargas: A Boxing Lifer
The undefeated former 122-pound world champ will carry a lifetime of boxing experience into the ring as he attempts to become a two-division world champion when he faces WBC World Featherweight Champion Mark Magsayo Saturday night in a Premier Boxing Champions event on SHOWTIME.
Jun 29, 2022 /
The PBC Podcast, Mark Magsayo, Rey Vargas
The PBC Podcast: Mark Magsayo, Jose Valenzuela and More
Two young stars join the show this week, plus a look at the top five PBC fighters under the age of 25.
Fights
Rey Vargas Fights
WIN vs Mark Magsayo 24-0-0
Jul 09, 2022 • San Antonio, Texas
Mark Magsayo LOSES to Rey Vargas by SD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Leonardo Báez 21-5-0
Nov 06, 2021 • MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Rey Vargas WINS against Leonardo Báez by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Franklin Manzanilla 18-4-0
Feb 09, 2019 • Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Rey Vargas WINS against Franklin Manzanilla by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Azat Hovhannisyan 14-2-0
May 12, 2018 • Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, USA
Rey Vargas WINS against Azat Hovhannisyan by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Oscar Negrete 17-0-0
Dec 02, 2017 • Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
Rey Vargas WINS against Oscar Negrete by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Ronny Rios 28-1-0
Aug 26, 2017 • StubHub Center, Carson, California, USA
Rey Vargas WINS against Ronny Rios by UD in Round 12 of 12
WIN vs Gavin McDonnell 16-0-2
Feb 25, 2017 • Ice Arena, Hull, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Gavin McDonnell LOSES to Rey Vargas by MD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Alexander Munoz 38-6-0
Sep 03, 2016 • Deportivo Zaragoza, Atizapan de Zaragoza, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Alexander Munoz by TKO in Round 5 of 12
Win vs Alexis Boureima Kabore 25-1-0
Jun 11, 2016 • Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Alexis Boureima Kabore by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Christian Esquivel 28-8-0
Feb 27, 2016 • Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA
Rey Vargas WINS against Christian Esquivel by TKO in Round 3 of 8
Win vs Lucian Gonzalez 21-8-2
Sep 05, 2015 • Centro de Espectáculos del Recinto Ferial, Metepec, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Lucian Gonzalez by UD in Round 8 of 8
Win vs Eduardo Mancito 13-1-2
May 23, 2015 • Centro de Espectáculos del Recinto Ferial, Metepec, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Eduardo Mancito by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Nestor Hugo Paniagua 25-7-2
Jan 24, 2015 • Centro de Convenciones Azul, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Nestor Hugo Paniagua by TKO in Round 2 of 12
Win vs Silvester Lopez 22-8-2
Nov 01, 2014 • Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Silvester Lopez by TKO in Round 8 of 10
Win vs Daniel Ferreras 13-8-2
Aug 23, 2014 • Convention Center Surman Villa de las Flores, Coacalco, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Daniel Ferreras by TKO in Round 2 of 10
Win vs Vergel Nebran 12-7-1
Jun 14, 2014 • Explanada Municipal, Tlalnepantla, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Vergel Nebran by TKO in Round 6 of 10
Win vs Silvester Lopez 21-6-2
Mar 15, 2014 • Estadio de Beisbol, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Silvester Lopez by RTD in Round 7 of 10
Win vs Ernie Sanchez 14-4-0
Dec 21, 2013 • Gimnasio Rodrigo M. Quevedo, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Ernie Sanchez by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Yuki Murai 21-17-5
Oct 26, 2013 • Deportivo Agustín Ramos Millan, Toluca, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Yuki Murai by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Juanito Rubillar 50-22-7
Aug 24, 2013 • StubHub Center, Carson, California, USA
Rey Vargas WINS against Juanito Rubillar by KO in Round 4 of 8
Win vs Cecilio Santos 27-23-6
Jun 08, 2013 • Monumental Villa Charra Carlos Bowser Gonzalez, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Cecilio Santos by KO in Round 2 of 10
Win vs Seizo Kono 13-4-1
Apr 27, 2013 • Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Seizo Kono by TKO in Round 3 of 12
Win vs Marcos Cardenas 13-1-1
Dec 22, 2012 • Auditorio del Bicentenario, Morelia, Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Marcos Cardenas by TKO in Round 5 of 8
Win vs Luis Carlos Lugo 13-1-2
Jun 02, 2012 • Coliseo Olimpico de la UG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Luis Carlos Lugo by KO in Round 5 of 10
Win vs Gabriel Aguillon 7-3-0
Feb 25, 2012 • Coliseo Olimpico de la UG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Gabriel Aguillon by KO in Round 1 of 10
Win vs Rene Vazquez 0-7-0
Jul 23, 2011 • Coliseo Olimpico de la UG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Rene Vazquez by TKO in Round 2 of 6
Win vs Jorge Morales 0-1-0
Mar 25, 2011 • Arena Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Jorge Morales by TKO in Round 2 of 6
Win vs Mario Alberto Garcia 0-3-0
Feb 26, 2011 • Polyforum Zam Ná, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Mario Alberto Garcia by TKO in Round 3 of 8
Win vs Jesus Santillan 3-7-0
Jan 22, 2011 • Arena Neza, Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, México, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Jesus Santillan by TKO in Round 7 of 8
Win vs Jorge Otocani 3-5-0
Nov 06, 2010 • Polyforum Zam Ná, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Jorge Otocani by TKO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Fabian Ruiz 0-0-0
Oct 02, 2010 • Coliseo Olimpico de la UG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Fabian Ruiz by KO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Jose Luis Medellin 2-0-0
Sep 04, 2010 • Arena Solidaridad, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Jose Luis Medellin by TKO in Round 2 of 4
Win vs Juan Antonio Duque 0-1-0
Aug 21, 2010 • Arena Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Juan Antonio Duque by TKO in Round 2 of 4
Win vs Hector Esnar Bobadilla 1-1-0
May 29, 2010 • Arena Tecate , Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Hector Esnar Bobadilla by UD in Round 4 of 4
Win vs Claudio Palacios 0-0-0
Apr 10, 2010 • Palenque de la Feria, Victoria de Durango, Durango, Mexico
Rey Vargas WINS against Claudio Palacios by KO in Round 1 of 4
Stats
Rey Vargas
- WINS 35
- LOSSES 0
- DRAWS 0
- KOs 22
Weight 122 lbs (55.45 kg)
Height 5'10½" (1.79 m)
Reach 70½" (179 cm)
-
Born
November 24, 1990 -
Age
31 -
Country
Mexico -
Born in
Mexico City, Distrito Federal -
Trains in
Otumba, México
-
Stance
Orthodox -
Rounds Boxed
210 -
KO Percentage
62.86% -
Boxing Hero
Fighter data provided by BoxRec Ltd. View disclaimer
Rey Vargas Bio
A seven-time amateur National Champion in Mexico, undefeated Rey Vargas captured the WBC super bantamweight title and now is on a mission to become a two-division world champion as he campaigns at super featherweight.
FATHER KNOWS BEST
Rey Vargas experienced humble beginnings growing up in Mexico City but was coaxed into boxing by his first coach and father, Carlos, who instilled a solid fundamental foundation.
“[It] was very difficult for me – no money, but my dad managed to take me to school,” said Vargas to RingTV.com. “I will always thank him. I always loved sports, but boxing is great.”
Vargas went 128-6 as an amateur, capturing seven national championships in Mexico as well as a gold medal in the 2009 Pan-American Championships.
“My dad was a boxer, so I decided to continue,” said Vargas. “I was a national champion seven times and won the Pan-American gold medal.”
Vargas debuted as a pro in April 2010 with a first-round knockout of Claudio Palacios. He would go on to earn stoppages in 15 of his initial 16 victories.
Vargas’ size and skills presented problems his opponents simply couldn’t handle.
Listed at nearly 5-foot-11 and significantly tall for a 122-pounder, Vargas often controls distance and smothers foes as they get close. His versatility is comprised of ranginess, speed, and a penchant for fighting on either the inside or outside.
Vargas sustains pace and rhythm, his piston jabs setting up an economy of combinations that incorporate hooks, overhand rights, crosses and uppercuts.
Vargas stepped up the opposition in 2016, beginning with a February third-round TKO of former title challenger Christian Esquivel. In June he shut out Alexis Bouremia Kabore over 12 and then returned in September to drop former champion Alexander Munoz four times on his way to a fifth-round TKO win.
“I’m in love with my career,” said Vargas. “Now I can pay back my dad and my mom with the money I make. It’s very satisfying.”
Reaching The Pinnacle
Vargas had legendary trainer, Ignacio Beristain, join his father in the corner in advance of his initial world title fight. Beristain has coached Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricardo Lopez and Daniel Zaragoza, among other Mexican greats.
“My father got me into the sport. He was a former boxer and he trained me in camp, but I've had a friendship with 'Don' Nacho for a long time,” said Vargas. “My father guided me throughout my entire amateur career, and I wanted 'Don' Nacho to train me as a professional. Now I have both of them.”
Their first bout together occurred on February 25, 2017, versus Gavin McDonnell in McDonnell’s native UK. On the line was the vacant WBC World Super Bantamweight title.
If Vargas had any trepidations about fighting on enemy ground, it didn’t show. He simply had too much movement for the nearly 5-foot-10 McDonnell of England, who entered at 16-0-2 (4 KOs) but succumbed to a majority decision (117-111, 116-112, 114-114) .
Vargas followed up with a wide unanimous decision over Ronny Rios in his first title defense that August. Then in December, he won a near-shutout unanimous decision over then-undefeated brawler Oscar Negrete.
Vargas fought just won in 2018, a 12-round unanimous decision over Azat Hovhannisyan in May. In February 2019, he took on hammer-fisted Franklin Manzanilla, who dropped Vargas in the second round with a head-swiveling left hook. But Vargas showed his warrior heart, climbing off the canvas to hurt Manzanilla several times and win another wide decision.
In July 2019, Vargas repeated his amateur victory over Kameda (117-110 three times), dropping the Japanese fighter to 36-3 (20 KOs) and ending his five-bout winning streak. Vargas played matador to the bullish, 5-foot-7 ½ “El Mexicanito,” using his jab to steer his opponent into his own arsenal of weapons.
A NEW BEGINNING
Following his victory over Kameda, Vargas was sidelined by injuries. On November 6, 2021, he returned to the ring, making his featherweight debut against Leonardo Baez on the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant SHOWTIME pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Vargas showed no signs of ring rust in his first fight in over two years, cruising to a unanimous decision over Báez (21-5, 12 KOs) in a Mexico vs. Mexico matchup in the second fight of the telecast. Two judges scored the fight a shutout, 100-90, while the third judge scored it 99-91.
Vargas used his significant height and reach advantage to dictate the pace of the entire matchup. Vargas’ vicious body attack – he landed 71 body shots in the ten-round fight – broke down the much smaller and overmatched Báez, whose awkward style led to several accidental head clashes throughout the bout.
“I was surprised he went the entire distance," said Vargas. "He’s a good fighter and I don’t take anything away from him. I’m looking forward to my next fight being for a world title.”