Jessie Vargas vs. Antonio DeMarco
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
I like the undefeated Jessie Vargas to win. Vargas needs to be careful not to take his eye off the ball as he looks ahead to a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao.
To win, Antonio DeMarco is going to have to use his power and hope to catch Vargas, hurt him and put him away. Vargas is too slick to allow that to happen and will use this fight as a springboard to bigger matchups in the future.
Prediction: Vargas
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
It’s hard to believe that Antonio DeMarco is only 28. It feels like he’s been fighting forever. He’ll try to defeat Jessie “Let’s Go To The Cards!” Vargas by turning the bout into a firefight.
Really, that’s the only way he wins this fight. DeMarco is solid enough, and he’s got good pop. He’s been stopped twice, once by Adrien Broner and before that he was nearly killed by Edwin Valero.
Vargas cannot punch with anywhere near the power of those two, but he’s a good boxer with way less mileage on the tires. They’re dangling a possible Pacquiao fight in front of him (which is sickening, but that’s for another time) so he’ll be bringing the A game. The pick here is Vargas by decision.
Prediction: Vargas
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Jessie Vargas has come a long way since leaving the Money team to fight with Top Rank. Not. The kid can scrap (former Olympian and WBA champion at 140), but he’s defensively limited and he’s still not getting the kind of big fights I thought he would by leaving Mayweather Promotions.
Wins over a faded version of Vivian Harris and quintessential sparring partners like Stevie “Two Pound” Forbes aren’t going to cut it. There was Josesito Lopez, but nah, we saw how that turned out.
Antonio DeMarco is a former champion at 135, who lost two phenomenal talents that could punch in Edwin Valero (deceased) and Adrien Broner. He’s a known puncher, solid pressure fighter, and has an edge in experience and pedigree. He blew through John Molina in less than 30 seconds of the first round of his second defense of a WBC lightweight strap he won by stopping Jorge Linares.
After losing to Broner though, he’s been active but barely visible. This will be the kind of fight that action fans love. I think this is a pick ’em, but hey a I’m a risk taker. I’ll take DeMarco by stoppage over Vargas.
Prediction: DeMarco
Lauren Pinkerton, Staff Writer
Jessie Vargas is a bit newer to the game than Antonio DeMarco, which I’m hoping means he’ll be lighter on his feet and more powerful with his punches.
His trainer is Roy Jones Jr., which looks pretty good on a resume, too. I don’t see a knockout coming from this, but I do think we’ll see Vargas outsmart and out-punch DeMarco.
Prediction: Vargas
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Jessica Vargas’ new trainer–the legendary Roy Jones Jr.–says that he sees something special in his new pupil. I’ve been waiting for years to see that “special” come out of Vargas. Unfortunately, I think we’ve pretty much seen as good as it’s going to get for Vargas.
He’s got good boxing ability and athleticism, but not much power, coupled with some suspect defense. At the end of the day, even though I don’t think he’s a star in the making, I think Vargas is too quick and too big for Antonio DeMarco who is more of a blown up Lightweight.
Prediction: Vargas
