Vargas’ victory sets up shot at title, big payday

Dean Juipe

Monday, July 17, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

To the victor go the spoils, even if that victory is by the narrowest of margins.

For Adan Vargas, who defeated former world champion Mauricio Pastrana in Sunday's main event of a nationally televised boxing card at Arizona Charlie's, life is good. His income is about to increase and his stature within the sport is on the upswing.

For Pastrana, his split-decision loss in a 12-round bout at 118 pounds for the vacant North American Boxing Federation title leaves him reeling. His second straight defeat after 23 wins to open his career lessens his future earning power and has him moving back down in weight to men closer to his natural size.

Appropriately, Vargas was excited to have won, while Pastrana and his people were disappointed and left the arena questioning the judges' decision.

"He might have been throwing more punches than me, but I thought I won," Vargas proclaimed. "I controlled the fight. I felt stronger. I should have knocked him out."

If he had, it would have saved the assigned officials some grief. As it was, Chuck Giampa scored it 115-113 for Pastrana, while Al Siciliano and Dave Moretti each had it 115-113 for Vargas. The Sun had it 115-113 for Pastrana.

"I thought we won the fight too," Pastrana's manager, Luis DeCubas, said. "I personally had Mauricio winning eight of the rounds and I thought he was the only fighter in the ring after the sixth (round). It was a bad, bad decision.

"I thought he gave Vargas a good schooling."

Pastrana, 27, will return to the 115-pound division after this fling at 118, DeCubas said.

Vargas, 26, is likely to rise to the mandatory challenger's position with the World Boxing Association and can look forward to a big payday when he faces champion Paulie Ayala at some point in the future. Vargas was paid $7,500 for this fight, while Pastrana took home $10,000.

Vargas' advantages in height -- at least three inches -- and reach proved to be a formidable obstacle for Pastrana to overcome.

"I had definite advantages, but, in reality, with his experience they were no advantages at all," Vargas said. "He was the best counterpuncher I've ever faced. He was better than Veerapol (Sahaprom)."

Sahaprom, the WBC champion at 118, defeated Vargas in March. But that loss is now in hindsight as Vargas improves to 34-2-1.

Neither man was down nor badly hurt, although Vargas finished the fight with a puffiness under his left eye.

The fight moved at a steady pace and pleased the crowd in spite of the lack of knockdowns or blood.

"I knew I had the fight won," Pastrana said in what turned out to be an erroneous belief. "At no time did he hurt me."

The hurt came later when the judges' verdict was announced.