Vargas Proves Himself a Quick-Strike Artist

For someone insistent on fighting before his hometown fans, Fernando Vargas didn’t give them much to see.

But what Vargas’ professional debut lacked in length, it made up for in punch.

Vargas, former U.S. Olympic welterweight from Oxnard, knocked out journeyman Jorge Morales of Mexico 56 seconds into their scheduled four-round bout before about 1,200 Tuesday night at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

Vargas, 19, frustrated by a five-month layoff because of surgery on his left thumb, entered the arena to the accompaniment of smoke and mariachis.

Moments later, Morales (17-15-2), an 11th-hour substitution for an ailing Jose Corella, was in a fog and on the seat of his pants.

Vargas, dancing on his toes between flurries, delivered a series of left hooks, including three effective shots to Morales’ head that settled the contest. Morales, pinned on the ropes virtually the entire fight, barely laid a glove on Vargas.

When his opponent hit the canvas, Vargas turned and sprinted for his stool before being directed to a neutral corner.

Vargas will have ample opportunity to brush up on procedure. He is scheduled for fights over the next two months in Atlantic City, N.J., and New York.

“I like being a pro,” Vargas said. “I just felt so good out there. I was taking my time. I wanted to see what he had to offer. I didn’t want to make any mistakes. Once I started landing, I knew I was hurting him.”

Vargas, after being eliminated in the second round of the Olympic Games last summer in Atlanta, signed a lucrative multi-year contract with New Jersey-based Main Events Productions.

The fighter, however, imposed one condition: He wanted his first fight in Oxnard.

“This is for my people,” Vargas said. “When I was an amateur, people always would say to me: ‘Hey, Fernando. When you gonna fight in Oxnard?’ I said, ‘I’m not gonna sign a pro contract unless my first fight is in Oxnard.’ ”

His first bout under his belt, Vargas soon will be in position to challenge for one, trainer Lou Duva said.

“I’ve had my veterans, I’ve had my champions,” Duva said. “Even they can’t do what Fernando does. He’s 19 years old, but you can tell he’s mature. He’s going to be a champion.”

In other bouts, Derrell Coley recorded an 11th-round knockout of Kip Diggs for the vacant North American Boxing Federation welterweight title.

In a remarkable slugfest, Coley (30-1-2, 22 knockouts) floored Diggs in the sixth and 10th rounds before finishing him off 12 seconds into the 11th. Diggs (27-3) gave as good as he got, dropping Coley in the third, fifth and seventh rounds.

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Fight Night

Tuesday night’s boxing at Oxnard Performing Arts Center

NABF WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

Derrell Coley (30-1-2, 22 KOs) d. Kip Diggs (27-3), knockout 0:12 of 11th round.

WELTERWEIGHT

Fernando Vargas (1-0) d. Jorge Morales (17-15-2), knockout 0:56 of first round.

WELTERWEIGHT

Jose Luis Lopez (38-3-1, 30 KOs) d. Jorge Vaca (57-17-1), knockout 0:58 of sixth round.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT

Eddie Contreras (9-1) d. Jose Manjarrez (9-15-4), six-round unanimous decision.

FLYWEIGHT

Carlos Madrigal (3-1) d. Manuel Noyola (3-1), four-round unanimous decision.

HEAVYWEIGHT

Adam Flores (2-1) d. Miguel Nava (0-1), knockout 2:50 of first round.