Jessie Vargas on Larando Tyner

Interview by Andreas Hale
Photo by Chris Cozzone

Rising star Jessie Vargas is an impressive 17-0 with 9 KOs. More importantly, he fights under Floyd Mayweather’s promotional banner, which gives Vargas extra attention whenever he fights. The 22-year-old will be making his welterweight debut as part of a double main event on ShoBox against Larando Tyner (25-6-2, 15 KOs). Prior to his fight on February 24, Vargas spoke to FightNews about Tyner, taking a step up in competition, Amir Khan and if he’s ready to takeover once Floyd Mayweather decides to hang up his gloves.

How does it feel to headline the Showtime card on Friday?

It feels good. Any time that you are on a major program such as Showtime all you want to do is impress the fans and give them a great fight. I’m ready to give them a great fight on Friday.

What did you learn in your last fight with Joesesito Lopez considering that it was a tough fight and you earn a hard-fought split decision victory?

He was a good fighter who took a good punch and he had a lot of professional experience. It was the first time I went 10 rounds and it was a great learning experience for me. It made me a better fighter.

Do you feel like you need those kinds of fights to keep progressing in your career?

Of course! Every young fighter needs a tough fight like that where you need to dig deep and look at different options to win the fight. I enjoy having fights like that because they bring the best out in me.

Lanardo Tyner is not a pushover by any means. He’s lost to some quality competition, however he’s lost his past two fights. What do you think about him and how tough will this fight be compared to Lopez?

They are two different fighters with two different styles. From what I know, Tyner is a tough fighter and is a strong 147 pounder. I just think it’s going to be a different style of fight. He is going to come to fight, there’s no doubt about it. I’m going to bring my ‘A’ game. I’ve been training really hard for this fight and I’m ready to go and win convincingly.

By “convincingly” does that mean you are trying to get him out of there early or do you feel like you still need to put in a few more rounds and are fine with a decision victory?

This is my first fight at 147 pounds so I’m anxious to feel out a welterweight fight. As long as I come away with the decision or knockout to get the win that’s all that matters. I just want the fans to enjoy the fight. I feel really strong 147 pounds and want to go ahead and show it come Friday.

What was behind your decision to move up to 147 pounds? Was it money or was it that you couldn’t stay at 140 pounds?

I’m young fighter and I started at 140 pounds. I just couldn’t make the weight anymore and I started feeling it. I wasn’t feeling the same pop anymore. I have heavy hands. I had the speed but I didn’t have the same power. At 147 pounds I’m feeling stronger.

Assuming that you get past Tyner this weekend there’s a lot of opportunity in the welterweight division. Not to necessarily look past him, but is there anybody that you’re eyeballing for a fight in the division.

I’m not eyeballing anyone. Like you said, I’m not looking past Tyner and I’m taking him very seriously. There’s a lot of competition at 147 pounds but I won’t be specific with any names. In the past I called out Robert Guerrero because he was calling out Floyd Mayweather. Of course Floyd wasn’t going to give him the fight and I offered him the fight on May 5 but he didn’t take it. It’s all up to my advisor Al Haymon. Whoever he wants to put me against after this fight I’m ready. We’ll sit down after this fight and figure out who’s next.

If you do make short work of Tyner would you like to fight on the May 5 undercard of Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto?

I would love to fight on the May 5 card. I would love to fight on any of Floyd Mayweather’s cards. His fights are always the biggest boxing events and I would love to be a part of it.

You mentioned calling out Guerrero but there was also a time when Floyd Mayweather and said that Amir Khan had to fight you first before he could get a shot at him. Would you be interested in facing Khan?

Of course! I’ll fight anyone so if Amir Khan wants to fight I’m not backing down
Fighting under the Mayweather promotions banner puts a lot of spotlight on you.

Once Floyd Mayweather decides to step away from the sport, do you feel that you can be the next big star as part of Floyd Mayweather’s promotions?

I know that I’m the next big star. I am totally convinced that I’m the next big thing in boxing. That’s why my nickname is “The New Generation” because I believe that I’m definitely the next big thing. I’m not cocky, I’m just confident. Only time will tell though. We’re working hard for that and I’m not just here talking. I’m working hard for it because I’m trying to make that happen and I will make it happen.

February 22nd, 2012

For all the latest boxing news, click here.