Contreras Outworks Vargas To Maintain His Perfect Record Via UD
Young Super Lightweights Miguel Contreras and Rolando Vargas risked their undefeated status in a hard-fought six-rounder in Top Rank’s Bubble on ESPN; Contreras’ class was the difference in the UD victory
LAS VEGAS (June 23, 2020) — Super Lightweights Miguel Contreras, 22, of Bakersfield, CA and Milwaukee, WI 20-year old Rolando Vargas fought an action-packed 6-rounder in Top Rank’s Bubble inside the MGM Grand’s Conference Center. The back and forth action and the competitive spirit of both men was indicative of both fighter’s “0”s being on the line.
Ultimately, Contreras advantage of 41 rounds as a pro served him well as he maintained his fight and technique for all six rounds. He was first consistently, he grouped his punches together and was accurate with his power punching.
Vargas had yet to see the third round in any of his five outings. Only his last opponent had more than two fights on their record. However, in a couple of past interviews with this writer, Vargas reiterated that his sole objective was to secure a promotional deal with Top Rank. The risk in facing the more experienced Contreras, in the ongoing Summer Series environment, probably was viewed as accepting any other fight. Once into the fight Vargas (5-1, 5 KOs) encountered a fighter who could take his power and respond accordingly.
After six hard-fought rounds the judges favored Contreras’ aggression and combination punching for scores of 58-56 on all three cards. Vargas fought through both an early bloodied nose and a cut over the corner of his right eye caused by a clash of heads to briefly rock Contreras (11-0, 6 KOs) with a couple of 1-2 combinations. But Contreras negated the Milwaukee native’s flashes of power with consistent activity.
Early in the first round Vargas set up a winging left hook after shooting a pair of jabs to Contreras’ body. Contreras responded with increased activity. Both fighters scored well throughout the round. Contreras entered the pocket for body work and shorter shots inside. Vargas timed some single shots.
Vargas finished the first stanza with blood around his nose.
In round two Contreras started with his fight-long theme of beating Vargas to the punch in most exchanges. Vargas attempted to respond with counter punching, but his waiting contributed to a scoring deficit.
Vargas’ hands remained the busier of the two fighters to open the third round. After an early exchange of power punches Vargas backed out with a cut above the corner of his right eye. Vargas connected with a pair of big punches with each hand to close the round.
Prior to the fourth ESPN showed a slow-motion sequence of the clash of heads that caused the cut. Fortunately for Vargas he drew cutman extraordinaire Jacob “Stitch” Duran who managed the wound for the balance of the fight.
Contreras’ output dipped slightly in the fourth round. Vargas took advantage of the pace to land a solid 1-2 combination finishing with his right hand.
In the subsequent round Vargas connected with another big hand within the first 30 seconds. Contreras elevated his activity but appeared to land several shots on Vargas’ gloves before sneaking in an uppercut. Contreras continued to initiate the action with Vargas’ jab having been absent for the past few rounds.
Contreras opened the sixth round still making contact more often. Vargas banged Contreras with a left hook before the final minute. The two fighters engaged in a brief fire-fight to close out the round.
ESPN’s Joe Tessitore mentioned Contreras’ recent sparring partners during the bout. They included recent Summer Series participants Adam Lopez and Joshua Greer Jr.
All photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
