It’s Thumbs Down for Vargas Bout

U.S. Olympic boxer Fernando Vargas of Oxnard, preparing to make his professional debut next month in his hometown, broke his left thumb while training this week and will be sidelined for at least three months.

Vargas, 18, was scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Nov. 20, but the fight has been canceled, said Rolando Arellano, Vargas’ co-manager.

Also canceled is Vargas’ scheduled matchup on the undercard of the Dec. 14 rematch between heavyweights Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota in Atlantic City.

Vargas tried to remain upbeat Thursday while preparing to fly to New York to be examined by a hand specialist.

“Right now, we’re looking for a fight in January,” he said.

Vargas said the injury occurred Monday during a sparring session and pain persisted until X-rays were taken Wednesday.

“I hit a guy with a left hook and I felt it, but I didn’t think it was anything,” Vargas said. “Next day I came to the gym and it was still hurting.”

In August, Vargas signed a lucrative four-year promotional contract with Main Events Productions in Totowa, N.J.

Last week, Main Events granted Vargas’ wish to begin his pro career in his hometown.

As an Olympic welterweight this summer, Vargas lost a controversial second-round decision to Marian Simion of Romania.