What Happened To Vargas?

So Oscar De La Hoya wins by a TKO in the 11th round over Fernando Vargas.  I can't say it was totally

unexpected.   I knew that if Vargas got careless, he had a chance to get KO'd. But I don't think he was

careless. I also mentioned in my last article that when De La Hoya didn't run, he was a good boxer.   

And he proved it. 

As long as De La Hoya was off the ropes, he worked his jab to perfection. As evident by the right eye of

Vargas.  Still, I had Vargas ahead until the ninth round.   In the ninth round, something happened to Vargas.

Everyone I have spoken too seems to think the same. 

What Happened?

I think Vargas suffered from what Evander Holyfield suffered when he fought Dwight Braxton (aka Dwight

Muhammed Qawi) in the Cruiserweight Title bout back in 1986. I think he was too ripped for his own good. 

Those of you who remember the bout between Holyfield and Qawi remember that Holyfield got dehydrated

during the fight. He could barely fight towards the end. Holyfield was lucky that Qawi got tired. Holyfield could

barely stand-up after the fight was over. 

True, Holyfield won but he had to go to the hospital immediately after the fight for treatment.  I think Vargas

got dehydrated around the ninth and that was all for him. 

I'm I looking for excuses for Vargas - No. 

I'm simply stating a possibility as to what could of happened to him. He didn't get careless rushing in (which I

thought could get him knocked out) , he just didn't seem right after the ninth and got tagged big time. Am I

trying to take away from De La Hoya's victory - No.

He did a great job staying in the fight. He was smart enough to stay away from the ropes and he boxed. Had

he done this in his two loses, he'd be undefeated. But before you start to write off Vargas like I've heard some

people do, let's remember that Muhammed Ali lost to Joe Frazier in their first meeting. Ali went on to win

the subsequent two fights. I hope De La Hoya gives Vargas a rematch. I think the rematch would be better

then the first bout. After all, De La Hoya wants a rematch with the fighters who beat him.

Seems only fair.

SN

(9/16/02)