KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The boxing gym is Antonio Vargas’ second home. “I’ve been doing this since I was 9,” he said. “Man, so this is kind of like all I know, and it’s a happy place for me.” On July 30 in Japan, the Kissimmee-born fighter will step into the ring for the 22nd bout of his professional career, facing former champion Daigo Higa — and this time, a world championship is at stake. Just weeks ago, Vargas was elevated to WBA bantamweight world champion, a moment years in the making. Even so, the title comes without the fight he originally envisioned. “It feels good, no doubt,” Vargas said. “But I wanted to win it in the ring. The champion I was scheduled to face got injured, so it doesn’t feel complete yet.” The moment represents a dramatic shift from where his life stood just six years ago. After suffering the first knockout loss of his career against Jose Maria Cardenas, Vargas began questioning his future in the sport. “Getting knocked out for the first time really shook me,” he admitted. “That’s every fighter’s worst fear.” Although he bounced back with two straight wins, the emotional toll lingered. The spark that once drove him into the ring slowly faded. “I was out of boxing for almost two years,” Vargas said. “It messed with my head and my confidence. I was working in a warehouse, thinking, ‘If this is my life forever, I’m not going to be fulfilled.’” That moment of clarity brought him back to boxing — not for personal glory, but for something greater. “My kids are my motivation now,” Vargas said. “I want them to see that their father fell, stood back up, and became something great again. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.”
The WBA has elevated interim bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas to its full titleholder and downgraded the injured Seiya Tsutsumi to its champion in recess. In a document reviewed by The Ring, on March 25, the WBA championship committee ordered Tsutsumi to engage in mandatory negotiations for his title defense against Vargas. On May 6, promoter Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions informed the WBA that Tsutsumi was neither medically nor physically capable of defending his title. The development allowed the WBA to elevate Vargas, and Tsutsumi must next provide the WBA with a certified medical report regarding his treatment, rehabilitation and prognosis for his recovery by August. Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs), a 2016 United States Olympian, scored the WBA interim title by knocking out Winston Guerrero in December. Tsutsumi (12-0-3, 8 KOs), a 29-year-old from Japan, overcame a cut and knockdown on Feb. 24 when he fought to a draw in a title defense and rematch against Daigo Higa. Tsutsumi snatched the title away from Takuma Inoue in October with a unanimous decision win. Vargas, 28, won’t waste much time defending the title, and he’ll go on the road to do so. Amaury Piedra, president of Boxlab Promotions, told The Ring that he’s in negotiations with Teiken for Vargas, the first ever world champion of his Florida-based company, to defend the title by late July in Japan against either Tenshin Nasukawa (6-0, 2 KOs), Higa (21-3-2, 19 KOs) or Inoue (20-2, 5 KOs). “Antonio is excited to defend the title that he earned,” Piedra told The Ring. “Sure, we would have preferred to beat Tsutsumi for the full title. But we’re now looking at the other top three guys in the division. Nasukawa, Higa and Inoue are all good opponents for us. Antonio is a fantastic young man and no one is more deserving than him for what he’s accomplished. We’re so happy for him and his redemption story.” After his only loss, Vargas was cut from Top Rank after a first-round knockout in 2019. Piedra signed Vargas in 2022 and has promoted his last eight fights at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. As Tsutsumi gets his health straightened out, Piedra said a title unification fight would be likely for Vargas if he lands the summer victory. Other titlists in the 118-pound division include WBCP champion Junto Nakatani and IBF belt holder Ryosuke Nishida, who’ll be facing off June 8 with the vacant Ring title on the line as well. WBO champion Yoshiki Takei is the other titleholder in the weight class.
Antonio Vargas Embraces Underdog Role Ahead of Japan Title Defense Antonio Vargas is unfazed by the odds—and fully confident that he will return home with his WBA bantamweight world title, even as bookmakers cast doubt on his chances. The reigning 118-pound titleholder is preparing for his first title defense in hostile territory, as he travels to Japan to face former world champion Daigo Higa on July 30 at Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama. Despite holding the belt, Vargas enters the bout as the underdog, with oddsmakers favoring the hometown challenger. Fuelled by the Challenge Rather than being discouraged, Vargas welcomes the challenge of fighting abroad. “Going into another man’s backyard just fires me up,” said Vargas, a 2016 U.S. Olympian based in Kissimmee, Florida. “I’ve been overlooked before, but now I get to defend my world title in Japan and show the fans what I’m made of. “This isn’t just about boxing—it’s about belief, preparation, and heart. Those things travel wherever I go.” Vargas carries a professional record of 19-1 (11 KOs), while Tokyo native Higa enters at 21-3-2 (19 KOs). Though Higa is favored, Vargas remains undeterred. From Florida Staple to World Champion Vargas captured a version of the WBA bantamweight title with a tenth-round stoppage of unbeaten Winston Guerrero on December 13 at Caribe Royale in Orlando. The venue has been home to the majority of his recent fights, all promoted by Boxlab Promotions. His status was later elevated to full WBA champion when previous titleholder Seiya Tsutsumi was sidelined by injury and unable to fulfill his mandatory defense. “We couldn’t be prouder of Antonio,” said Boxlab Promotions president Amaury Piedra. “Defending a world title in Japan against a dangerous contender like Higa—that’s what true warriors do.” A Familiar Rivalry Thread The matchup carries an added layer of intrigue. Tsutsumi and Higa battled to a punishing 12-round draw earlier this year in Tokyo, a fight that indirectly set the stage for Vargas’ reign. Higa, a former WBCP flyweight champion, has come close to bantamweight gold in recent outings, including a narrow loss to undefeated WBO champion Yoshiki Takei. His recent performances have convinced many observers that he is primed for another title run. Faith Over Fear Vargas insists that his confidence stems from more than just preparation or momentum. The 28-year-old credits his faith as the foundation of his mindset. “My relationship with Jesus Christ has kept me grounded and focused,” Vargas said. “I don’t walk into the ring alone—my faith walks in with me. That’s why I’m ready for anything.” Embracing the Road This bout marks Vargas’ first professional fight outside North America, though the change of scenery does not concern him. In fact, his lone career loss came at home—a first-round knockout defeat in Kissimmee in 2019. Outside of two early-career bouts in Puerto Rico and Miami, Vargas has spent most of his career fighting in Central Florida. He believes destiny now calls for his biggest win to come abroad. “I’m blessed to be in this position,” Vargas said. “Defending a world title in another country, on this kind of stage—it’s a dream. Winning this fight means legacy. It means reaching the elite level. And I’m coming to claim it.” Stakes at the Highest Level A victory in Yokohama would firmly establish Antonio Vargas as a true world-level force in the bantamweight division. Against a proven and dangerous opponent, the champion is determined to silence doubters and prove that his reign is just beginning.
