Emiliano Vargas says he is ready to challenge Shakur Stevenson

Emiliano Vargas says he is ready to challenge Shakur Stevenson after moving to No. 1 in the WBO light-welterweight rankings. The 22-year-old has not yet beaten an established world-level fighter at 140 pounds, however, leaving his title credentials open to scrutiny.

Vargas stopped Bryce Mills in the fourth round in June, having previously beaten Agustin Ezequiel Quintana, Jonathan Montrel, Alexander Espinoza, Juan Leon and Giovannie Gonzalez. Those victories helped him secure three regional titles and pushed him to the top of the WBO’s challenger list, but none of those opponents had established themselves as a leading light welterweight.

The son of former 154-pound world champion Fernando Vargas has said he would take the opportunity to face Stevenson immediately. He also noted that the situation depends on whether Stevenson keeps the WBO belt after joining Zuffa or gives it up. Vargas believes he is now due a world-title opportunity.

Recent sparring with Teofimo Lopez has strengthened Vargas’s belief that he can perform at championship level. He has also gained confidence from previous sessions with former world champion Jorge Linares. Those experiences have helped his development, but they have not replaced the demands of a competitive fight against a leading contender.

Ernesto “Tito” Mercado has repeatedly called for a meeting with Vargas and named him as a preferred opponent as recently as June, when Vargas was ranked second by the WBO. Vargas has said he is willing to face anyone in the top 10, although he did not single out Mercado in his comments.

A fight with Mercado would give Vargas a tougher examination before a possible meeting with Stevenson. Mercado’s pressure and power would present challenges that were absent from Vargas’s recent wins over Mills and Quintana. Stevenson would represent an even larger step, given his speed, defence, timing and championship experience.

The prospect of Stevenson choosing Vargas would also attract criticism from fans, particularly after negotiations for a proposed fight with Devin Haney were affected by Stevenson’s demand for a 144-pound catchweight. With Vargas yet to defeat Mercado or another leading contender, his ranking has brought him close to a title shot without fully proving that he belongs there.