Jose Valenzuela vs. Francisco Vargas pits youth vs. experience

Lightweights Jose Valenzuela and Francisco Vargas talked to the media ahead of their bout on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas undercard. 

Lightweights Jose Valenzuela and Francisco Vargas were a few of the boxers on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas undercard to address the media on March 30, ahead of the April 16 Showtime pay-per-view event.

Spence vs. Ugas takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, for the IBF, WBA and WBC welterweight titles. It’s a major platform for all the fighters on the card and offers exposure for those trying to make a name in boxing.

The Spence vs. Ugas undercard sports a strong lineup, but Valenzuela vs. Vargas might be the most intriguing matchup of the bunch.

Valenzuela (11-0, 7 KOs) is only 22 years old, but he’s drawing a lot of buzz. Fighting out of Seattle, WA, Valenzuela is trained by Jose Benavidez Sr.

Valenzuela hopes that a strong performance against former WBC super featherweight champion Vargas will help accelerate his name up the rankings.

“This win is going to show everyone that I’m here and that I can compete with the top guys,” Valenzuela said during the media call. “Francisco Vargas is a strong former champion, and I’m excited for the challenge.”

Valenzuela is looking forward to the fight, but it’s also surreal to fight a boxer he grew up watching.

Jose Valenzuela fights Francisco Vargas, whom he looked up to as an adolescent on the undercard of Errol Spence vs. Yordenis Ugas

“I just remember watching him coming up,” Valenzuela said to FanSided. “My dad was a fan of his, and so he would put on great performances. Great fights. Every time, all I could remember is great wars.”

Vargas (27-3-2, 19 KOs) is more accomplished than Valenzuela, but he’s also much older. The 37-year-old from Mexico City, Mexico, is 15 years older than Valenzuela.

Valenzuela dropped his last two bouts. He lost a unanimous decision to Isaac Cruz in his previous performance in June 2021.

During the call, Valenzuela said Vargas was past his prime, but Vargas is eager to prove there’s still some fight left in him.

“Of course it motivates me when I hear Valenzuela say that I am past my prime and on the way out,” Vargas said. “But at the same time, I know how I feel. I feel totally ready. I feel in shape physically and mentally to be up to the challenge. I’m going to prove that to all of you on fight night.”

In these types of scenarios, the young prospect usually gets the better of the aged veteran. Vargas addressed his future if he lost to Valenzuela.

“I’m going to listen to my body,” Vargas said. “That’s the bottom line. When I can feel that my body says no more, then that will be the time for me to step aside. But for now, I feel like my body is just fine. I feel capable. I feel ready, and I will be ready to go on April 16.”

If Valenzuela wins impressively, his stock will soar. It could also potentially mean the end of Vargas’s 12-year professional career.