Philippines, 18 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Vargas Ready to Shine in Eliminator Against Rodriguez

PhilBoxing.com




Orlando, FL (February 21, 2024) – On Saturday evening, 2016 US Olympian Antonio Vargas meets Jonathan Rodriguez in a 12-round World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title eliminator at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL.

The WBA’s second ranked contender, Vargas is 17-1 with 9 KO’s. Fighting out of Kissimmee, FL, Vargas represented Team USA at the 2016 Olympics. Vargas had a stellar 2023, stopping contender Mitchell Banquez in six rounds and dominating former world champion Hernan Marquez enroute to a ten-round decision.

Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and fighting out of Bethlehem, PA, Rodriguez has an excellent professional record of 17-1-1 with 7 KO’s. Ranked number three by the WBA, Rodriguez sent shockwaves through the boxing world when he scored a vicious first round knockout over former titlist Kal Yafai.

“I’m excited to be fighting in front of my fans in Orlando and on a big platform like DAZN,” Vargas said from his training camp in Kissimmee. “I know Jonathan is an aggressive fighter that likes to come forward, but we’ve got a great game plan to negate that. This is the kind of fight I’ve been dreaming of my entire career and a victory Saturday evening puts me first in line for a world title shot.”

The winner of Vargas-Rodriguez becomes the mandatory challenger for the WBA bantamweight title and faces the winner of the bout between current champion Takuma Inoue and Jerwin Ancajas.

“We’re pleased to be working with Matchroom to bring a world class championship card to Central Florida,” said Amaury Piedra of Boxlab Promotions. “From championship fights to title eliminators and rising prospects, this card has it all. We’re excited to see Antonio earn this great opportunity and to do it in his hometown in front of his fans is phenomenal. I have no doubt Vargas and Rodriguez will put on an exciting fight that the fans will enjoy.”

Vargas-Rodriguez airs live on DAZN at 8 pm as part of a loaded card featuring a welterweight title eliminator, Olympic Gold Medalist Andy Cruz, and Edgar Berlanga vs Padraig McCrory in the main event.

The card is promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Boxlab Promotions. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com and the opening bout is scheduled for 5:30 pm.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MILLER AND PERO CLASH IN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 25
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Middleweight Championship Battle Between (C) Khamzat Chimaev and (#3) Sean Strickland Headlines UFC® 328 at Prudential Center Live on Paramount+
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Sampson Lewkowicz & TM Boxing Sign Undefeated Mexican Prospect José Ángel Guerrero to Co-Promotional Deal
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • 12-Time World Champion & Hall of Famer James Toney Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Five stitches for Donaire’s cut
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 12-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.