Undefeated Fernando Vargas makes the first defence of his IBF World Super Welterweight title against one of Britain's most reliable journeyman, Howard "Clakka" Clark.
Fernando Vargas was a very young but talented boxer. He turned pro at 19 years old in 1997 and in less than 2 years he would become a World Champion, the youngest IBF Super Welterweight Champion in history. Although his early career prior to winning a World title consisted of mainly nobodies he had beaten 2 former World title challenges in Romallis Ellis (24-3) and Anthony Stephens (29-9-2) both by TKO. By December 1998 Vargas held an undefeated 14-0 record when he was picked to face IBF World Super Welterweight Champion and ring veteran, Luis Ramon Campas. Campas had an incredible 72-2 record dating back to 1987 and was a former Mexico, NABF, and NABO Welterweight Champion and a 3 x World Title Challenger before eventually winning the IBF World Super Welterweight in 1997 during his 3rd attempt. Campus certainly had the experience but Vargas had the youth, speed and was the naturally bigger man and so after 7 rounds Campus retired on his stool, unwilling to continue due to a bad swollen right eye and mouth cut.
Howard Clarke was a respectable journeyman at this point in time, even though after the fight with Vargas his win/loss ratio would take a dramatic hit (more on that later!) Having turned pro in 1991, Clarke held a 26-10-2 record and for 6 years he didn't fight anybody worth mentioning but then in November 1997 he scored somewhat of an upset against former Hungary and WBC International Middleweight Champion, Andras Galfi (24-2-3), outpointing him over 8 rounds. Clarke's most recent fight was another somewhat upset over then prospect, Jason Papillion (30-2-1), another 8 round win.
Clarke was seen as durable and respectable but he wasn't in the same league as Vargas, he was hand picked an easy first defence. Vargas looked very calm during the fight, if not a little too relaxed, but he was in clear control and not bothered by Clarke's arsenal. Clarke wasn't expected to last as long as he did but he gave everything he had and showed guts rising from 3 knockdowns before the ref finally called it quits on the 4th knockdown. Vargas targeted head and body to score his knockdowns and although it's not his most impressive showing it was still a very decisive win.
Clarke would continue boxing for another 9 years and became one of Britain's most respected and loved journeyman even though he would only win 1 of his last 70 fights! He retired in 2007 with a 27-79-2 record with 1 no contest.
Vargas would go on to have 4 more successful title defences against top opposition before finally dropping the belt in a heated battle with Felix Trinidad in 2000. In 2001 Vargas would win the vacant IBA and WBA versions of the World Super Welterweight title when he knocked out Jose Flores in 7. Unfortunately his second reign as World Champion was short lived as 1 year later in his first defense Vargas would get stopped in Rd 11 against WBC World Super Welterweight Champion, Oscar De La Hoya. Following the De La Hoya fight Vargas was suspended for 9 months and fined $100,000 for steroid use. He made a successful return in 2003 going undefeated in 4 fights against top opposition before being entered in a WBA Super Welterweight title eliminator against Shane Mosely in 2006. Vargas was ahead on 1 judges scorecard and only behind by a single round of the other 2 going into Rd 10 when Mosley forced a TKO stoppage for the win. The fight was so close before the stoppage that a rematch was requested and 5 months later Mosley and Vargas went at it again, but this time Mosley was in complete control and scored a 6th Rd TKO to end their rivalry. After a 14 month absence Vargas returned to the ring in 2007 against a fellow former 2 x World Champion in Ricardo Mayorga. Vargas gave a solid effort and made sure the fight was close but he ultimately lost by majority decision and retired from the ring. There was talk of a comeback fight in 2011 but this was cancelled for unknown reasons. Vargas' final record stands at 26-5.
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