Thursday, July 17, 2003 | 10:23 a.m.
Out of the ring since last September and coming off a fine and suspension for steroid use, former world champion Fernando Vargas maintains he's a new and improved fighter and man at the age of 25.
He expects to display some of that improvement July 26 at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles when he faces former Las Vegas resident Fitz Vanderpool in a 10-round fight at 154 pounds. HBO will televise.
"Thank God I tested positive (for steroids)," Vargas said during a conference call. "If not, I wouldn't have cleaned house and I may have messed up my body even more."
Vargas has a new nutritionist and has demoted his former lead trainer, Eduardo Garcia, while bringing in Buddy McGirt as his lead trainer. He also has a new training regimen -- known as "Pro Camp" -- that utilizes yoga and promises increased flexibility.
"I'm feeling better than ever," Vargas said. "It was worth it to make the changes.
"If you don't learn from your mistakes, you're never going to get better."
But the man who manages and promotes Vanderpool believes Vargas' claims are merely rhetoric.
"That's just talk," Johnny McClain said Wednesday from Los Angeles. "All this stuff about being 'new' and 'complete' are things fighters routinely say when they're coming back from a setback or negativity.
"I don't buy it."
Vargas, 22-2 with 20 knockouts, is not only coming off a suspension mandated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but off a brutal 11th-round knockout loss at the hands of Oscar De La Hoya 10 months ago at Mandalay Bay. He also lost by knockout to Felix Trinidad and, before that, was down in a 2001 fight with Wilfredo Rivera before rallying to win.
"His chin has always been in question," McClain said. "And coming out of two wars like he had with Oscar and Felix, that's really to our advantage."
Vanderpool, 36, is 24-4-4 with 13 KOs. While few people close to the sport expect him to interrupt Vargas' comeback, McClain said the timing is perfect for just such an upset.
"We couldn't have a better opponent at a better time," he said. "I hear Vargas isn't as focused as he should be and that he's taking Fitz lightly.
"That's great for us, and I'm sparing no expense in making sure Fitz has everything he needs to fight at this level. For once in his career, he's getting the training and attention he needs to be successful."
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