HEY “STINGRAY!” VARGAS IS THE NEW WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION

Undefeated Rey Vargas is the new World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion, after defeating  local lad Gavin McDonell on Saturday night at the  Hull Ice Ring in Yorkshire, England.

The pride of Otumba, State of Mexico, prevailed with a majority decision.  The scores were:  114-114, 117-111 and 116-112 in a bout of unbeaten fighters. Both were the best ranked fighters in the 122-pound division.

The card reached  thousand of homes in Mexico,  as it was broadcast via  Televisa Deportes’ in a joint effort with Promociones del Pueblo Promotions and with the support of Cavall Sport and Playboy México. The title had been  left vacant with the retirement of Hozumi Hasegawa.

From the beginning of the fight Vargas Roldán imposed a smart controlling fight strategy,  using a greater and astutely measured extra long reach to keep the impetuous European off balance and at bay.  Stinging left jabs were mixed with crunching right hooks to the body,  dominating the first five rounds,  in front of  more than 4,500 fans.  It didn`t look like Gavin  was going to be able to make British  history to become world champion along with his twin brother Jamie.

At times , after the half way mark, the well conditioned and very determined pursuing Brit, landed an onslaught on Rey, who got stung with some very decent overhead rights, mixed in with some right hooks.  Guided by Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristain in his corner, Rey keep calm doubling his long straight left jabs with left hooks. This was at the insistence of the watchful Sage, who also urged some rapid fire combinations.  Cut on the bridge of the nose and with a swelling face, while Rey remained unmarked, Gavinknew he was trailing  on the scorecards, piling pressure on from the tenth until the final bell.  But Rey moved well,  catching him with accurate counters as he charged in, also pulling his head back out of harm`s way from swinging  blows, although his guard was more than a tad low at times, exposing him to unnecessary potential danger.  However, an overall   superb showcase of intelligent, controlled boxing, far from home, guided by a trainer of experience plus understated genius.