Vargas Suspended by USA Boxing, Contract With Agent Investigated

Less than a month before he is scheduled to fight for his first world amateur title, light-welterweight Fernando Vargas of Oxnard has been suspended indefinitely by USA Boxing officials while they investigate whether he has violated eligibility rules.

USA Boxing’s executive director, Bruce Mathis, told Vargas of the decision Monday, two days after The Times reported that the 1994 national lightweight champion was being represented by professional managers Robert Troy Caron and Don Lukens, also of Oxnard.

“We’re in a fact-finding stage,” said USA Boxing spokesman Kurt Stenerson, adding that the organization is trying to get legal counsel in Los Angeles to aid Vargas in resolving the situation.

“We’re not taking this lightly. Fernando’s amateur status may well be in jeopardy. At the same time, we’re going to do everything we can to help him iron this out. Hopefully, he didn’t make the mistake that it appears on the surface he did.”

According to a copy of a contract obtained by The Times, Vargas and his trainer, Eduardo Garcia, received $20,000 plus a promise of $4,000 a month through the 1996 Summer Olympics, travel and training expenses and bonuses. In return, they agreed to an exclusive management deal with Caron and Lukens after the Games.

Vargas told The Times on Friday that he is unaware of the contract. Because he is 17, it was signed by his mother as his legal guardian. Garcia also signed.

Vargas is scheduled to fight the reigning world champion at 139 pounds, Cuba’s Hector Vinent, on an undetermined date later this month in Macon, Ga., in the World Championships Challenge.