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Francisco Vargas knows what the audience wants

WBC super-featherweight champion Francisco Vargas smiles after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on May 25.
WBC super-featherweight champion Francisco Vargas smiles after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on May 25.
(Maxx Wolfson / Getty Images)
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Francisco Vargas would be best served in his first super-featherweight title defense by making quick work of veteran Mexican countryman Orlando Salido.

After surviving November’s fight of the year — in which he got off the canvas, endured a nasty cut and was badly wobbled late by former World Boxing Council champion Takashi Miura of Japan — Vargas (23-0-1, 17 knockouts) is taking on a respected warrior in the June 4 main event (televised by HBO) at StubHub Center.

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“If the fight ends soon, that’s way much better for me,” Vargas said. “That means I can fight a lot sooner after that.”

That’s the type of thinking the 31-year-old is banking on to enhance a reputation that was rising before a recent interruption.

Vargas’ cause was upended last month when he submitted a positive test for the banned substance clenbuterol, which has weight-cutting effects. He explained to the California State Athletic Commission that the substance is used in cattle feed in Mexico, and he said a batch of beef in broth served him by his mother while he was training near Mexico City likely triggered the positive.

Because the amount of clenbuterol was so small and because of a news report citing concerns of Mexican athletes in advance of the Olympics, the California commission accepted Vargas’ explanation and allowed the fight to proceed under the condition of stringent drug testing through fight night. He’s passed at least five tests since then.

He has another one to clear June 4 against the rugged Salido, 35, a former featherweight champion who’s 43-13-4 and recently won most ringside scorers’ cards in his September draw with World Boxing Organization super-featherweight champion Roman Martinez.

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“I’m prepared for 12 rounds,” Vargas said. “Salido is a very durable fighter. I’m not training for a quick knockout. I’m training to go the distance.”

While everyone else can see that the buy-in to such a mentality likely shortens a fighter’s peak performance, Vargas said he doesn’t consider the toll.

“To be honest with you, that’s my style. That’s who I am. That’s how I fight,” Vargas said. “I feel I can last a long time, that I haven’t had too many wars. I love to please the public. The public asks for who I am, and I can’t change.”

After all, the Miura battle moved him from the co-main event under Canelo Alvarez to his own main event.

“I’m very honored and grateful for the opportunity. I understand what it means,” Vargas said. “I want to show the public I’m willing to fight the best. I want to be great, and compensated for it so I can support my family. I want to go down as a [Marco Antonio] Barrera, [Erik] Morales, [Julio Cesar] Chavez, [Juan Manuel] Marquez.”

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