Fernando Vargas can't get Trinidad off his mind

Felix Trinidad destroys Thiam in three.

Felix Trinidad's bout-by-bout pro boxing record.

Trinidad defeats De La Hoya at the Fight of the Millennium.

Fernando Vargas can't get Felix Trinidad off his mind!

August 23, 2000 -- Fernando Vargas, the 22-year-old International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion who is 19-0 with 17 knockouts, will be facing Ross Thompson Aug. 26 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. A worthy opponent with a record of 24-3-1 with 16 KOs.

But Vargas just can't stop looking forward in anticipation of meeting the man who first defeated his fellow Mexican countryman -- Oscar De La Hoya.

"It's hard to get up for fights like this, I'll be honest with you," Vargas said of having to meet Thompson, "But I want to go out there and take care of business and get ready for Trinidad.

"I'm training hard. I want to look great."

When asked about Trinidad's impressive performance against Thiam, Vargas responded, "He looked great," "But I got a little nervous a couple of times when Trinidad got hit.

"I saw a couple of things I can capitalize on and I'll definitely be ready for that fight. We have a game plan
to beat Trinidad."

"I'm an intelligent fighter," he said during a conference call this week. "I'm quick. I'm fast on my feet. I'm a
counter-puncher.

"Let's say we get into a war. Who has the best chin? I think it's me."

Vargas might be making a mistake looking ahead to a fight with Trinidad without taking care of what he has on hand.

Thompson is the #1 contender and was confident enough that he started talking trash to Vargas, "He's a
bum. Who has he beaten? said Thompson.

Vargas said he wants to unify the titles before moving up in weight. If successful against Thompson, he will report to training camp for his December 2 showdown with Felix Trinidad around September 18. Main Events COO Gary Shaw said Vargas-Trinidad "will take place in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

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