Kicking off the Cinco de Mayo celebration and a weekend of legendary boxing, all eyes will be on the battle waged between unbeaten contenders Francisco Vargas and Jose Aguiniga when they collide at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Friday, May 3 for the vacant NABF Super Featherweight title. On the eve of the world-recognized event Mayweather vs. Guerrero, the 10-round championship bout pitting 2008 Olympian Vargas against 33-0 Aguiniga is destined to shake up the 130-pound division.
Now fighting out of Los Angeles, 28-year-old Francisco Vargas (15-0-1, 12 KO’s) represented his native Mexico in the 2008 Olympics, going 1-1 in the Olympic Games. Since turning pro in 2010, Vargas has built a reputation for having a versatile skill set and ring savvy. Last year, he turned up the heat fighting and winning six times with five of those wins coming by way of knockout. On January 26, Vargas kept his hot streak going with a second- round knockout win over Ira Terry in Las Vegas. He will be back in the boxing capital of the world this May to meet his toughest opponent to date in the unbeaten Aguiniga.
Long established as one of boxing’s top rising stars, Oxnard’s Jose Aguiniga (33-0, 15 KO’s) raced out to a 31-0 professional record and was on the verge of big things before surprisingly walking away from the sport after his 2007 win over Joe Morales. In 2011, there were rumblings of a comeback and in February of 2012, he returned with an eight-round unanimous decision win over Juan Ruiz. Three months later, Aguiniga added a seventh- round technical knockout victory against Eduardo Arcos and on May 3, he will look to return to continue his journey to the top of his division with a win over Vargas.
One of the most promising talents from the Olympic class of 2012, United States team member Errol Spence Jr. (4-0, 3 KO’s) has blasted through all of his opponents since turning professional last November, knocking out Jonathan Garcia, Richard Andrews and Nathan Butcher and scoring a shut-out decision win over Luis Torres in his last fight on March 2. On May 3, the DeSoto, Texas prospect will enter the ring looking to impress once again.
Fellow 2012 United States Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) has also made a smooth transition to the world of professional boxing, winning all of his bouts since debuting last December with a unanimous decision win over Vicente Alfaro. In February, Diaz scored his first pro knockout at The Cosmopolitan, finishing Jose Ruiz in the second round. Then a month later, on March 16, he returned to the ring and looked strong in a six-round unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Alberto Cupido. On May 3 he is sure to wow the crowd at The Cosmopolitan once again.
The event will be televised on FOX Sports Networks, FOX Deportes and FUEL TV. Plus, 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence Jr. makes his second professional appearance in Las Vegas in a six-round welterweight bout and fellow 2012 United States Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. returns for his second fight at The Cosmopolitan in a six-round junior featherweight tilt.
The exhilarating night of boxing action is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Taking place in The Cosmopolitan, doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 6:30 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes bi-lingual simulcast will air live at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT. FUEL TV will rebroadcast the fight on a date to be announced.
Ringside tickets are priced at $100 with reserved seating tickets priced at $60 and general admission tickets available for $30. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. PT and will be available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com o
