Devin Vargas
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pan American Games | ||
| Bronze | 2003 Santo Domingo | Heavyweight |
Devin Vargas (born December 25, 1981 in Toledo, OH) is a boxer who represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in the heavyweight division.
Amateur career
Vargas had a stellar amateur career prior to turning professional. Vargas was also a National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion in 2000 and 2001. In 2003 he stopped Mike Marrone but was stopped inside the distance by eventual winner Charles Ellis. He became US champion in 2003. In international fights he lost twice to Kertson Manswell in 2003 but beat him in 2004 to qualify for the Olympics.
Vargas qualified for the Olympic Games by ending up in first place at the 1st AIBA American 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tijuana, Mexico. He competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens as a heavyweight representing the United States. His results were:
- 1st round - Defeated Rachid El Haddak (Morocco) RSC-3 (1:20)
- 2nd round - Lost to Viktar Zuyev (Belarus) 27-36
Professional career
Vargas turned professional in 2004 and sustained his first defeat by ranked opponent, Kevin Johnson (boxer), who took a massive lead in the third round, scoring a TKO early in the 6th round, when Vargas' corner threw in the towel.
It became clear early in the fight that Vargas was in over his head, being dropped in the 3rd and 5th rounds, during the May 15th, 2009 bout. Bloody and bruised during the 5th round, Vargas looked like a beaten man, and it was evident that the end was near.
The end came with a flurry of combinations unleashed by Johnson in 6th round, which, if left to continue, would have resulted in knock out.
Mercy came when Vargas's corner saw the writing on the wall and, with a toss of a white towel, ended this mismatch, sparing Vargas further injury.
He is the younger brother of boxer Dallas Vargas.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by B.J. Flores |
United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion 2003 |
Succeeded by Matt Godfrey |