Photo by Tom Hogan/Roc Nation Sports/Golden Boy Promotions
In the co-main event of Cotto-Canelo, Francisco Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) scored a ninth-round knockout victory against Takashi Miura (29-3-2, 22 KOs) to win the WBC Super Featherweight title at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
The fight almost had a quick ending in Round 1 as Miura was badly hurt with a right hand. Miura was able to come back strong and began to fiercely work the body using his unorthodox style.
Miura would then land a powerful left hand that dropped Vargas in Round 4 for the first time in his career and nearly ended his undefeated record.
“When I was knocked down in the fourth round, I felt even more motivated to win this fight,” said Vargas.
Indeed, Vargas came back stronger in Round 6 and dug deep to land shots to the body and head, which eventually paved the way for a knockdown in Round 9.
Miura could barely get up and held on for dear life as Vargas pummeled him with shots to the head until referee Tony Weeks called a stop to the fight.
“I’m the champ, I’m the champ!” said Vargas.
“This is a dream come true for me, something I have been fighting for my whole life. I knew Takashi was going to be a tough opponent, that’s why he is the champion, so I had to make sure I was prepared to face a fighter like him,” said Vargas.
