Antonio Vargas (born August 15, 1996) is an American professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title from May 2025 until June 2026. As an amateur, Vargas competed for the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal in the flyweight division at the 2015 Pan American Games.
Early life Vargas was born in Houston, Texas, to Mexican-Puerto Rican parents and raised in Kissimmee, Florida.
Amateur career Vargas won a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in the flyweight event.
He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics, losing in the round of 16 to Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan.
Professional career Vargas defeated Winston Guerrero by technical knockout in the 10th round to win the interim WBA bantamweight title at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, on December 13, 2024.
He was elevated to full WBA bantamweight champion on May 17, 2025, when reigning title holder, Seiya Tsutsumi, was designated champion in recess due to a long-term injury.
On July 30, 2025, Vargas made the first defense of the title against Daigo Higa at Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium in Yokohama, Japan, with the fight ending in a unanimous draw.
In his second defense he faced Jesse Rodriguez at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on June 13, 2026, losing by knockout in the sixth round.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes23LossJesse RodriguezKO6 (12), Jun 13, 202622Draw19–1–1 Daigo Higa12Jul 30, 202521Win19–1 Winston GuerreroTKO10 (12), Dec 13, 202420Win18–1 Jonathan Rodriguez7 (12), Feb 24, 202419Win17–1 Hernán MárquezUD10Oct 27, 202318NC16–1 Francisco Pedroza Portillo3 (10)May 12, 202317Win16–1 Michell BanquezTKO6 (10), Feb 25, 202316Win15–1Jesus Martinez TKO3 (6), Oct 15, 202215Win14–1Samuel Gutierrez HernandezTKO5 (6), Aug 21, 202214Win13–1Daniel Alberto Coronel TKO4 (6), Jul 23, 202213Win12–1Juan Centeno UD6Feb 21, 202012Win11–1Szilveszter Kanalas KO1 (6), Nov 23, 201911Loss10–1Jose Maria CardenasKO1 (8), May 25, 201910Win10–0Lucas Rafael Baez KO2 (8), Feb 22, 20199Win9–0Jorge Perez UD8Nov 16, 20188Win8–0Felipe Rivas UD6Aug 28, 20187Win7–0Aaron LopezUD6Jul 28, 20186Win6–0Luis SaavedraUD6Feb 23, 20185Win5–0Jonathan GarzaUD6Nov 3, 20174Win4–0Miguel RebullosaTKO2 (6), Oct 13, 20173Win3–0Leonardo Reyes6Jul 7, 20172Win2–0Emilio Rivera1 (4), Apr 21, 20171Win1–0Jonathan De La Paz1 (4), Feb 24, 2017
See also List of male boxers List of Mexican boxing world champions List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions List of world bantamweight boxing champions
References
External links
Antonio Vargas - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live
Lost bid for Super title