Two of the most recognizable figures in the boxing world, Fernando Vargas Sr. & Jr., reacted to the recent controversy surrounding Jermall Charlo. This comes after Charlo reportedly missed the weight for his latest fight. This development was met with widespread disappointment, prompting the Vargas duo to voice their opinions on the matter.
The younger Vargas didn’t mince words in expressing his views on Charlo’s misstep. Fernando Vargas Jr., himself a dedicated pugilist, stated that failures such as this one were “unprofessional” and also served to undermine the respect that a competitor should have for his sport. He also suggested that a failure to make weight betrayed a lack of professionalism, which should not be tolerated in the world of boxing.
In similarity, boxing veteran Fernando Vargas Sr. joined voices with his son, interpreting the situation as proof of Charlo’s lack of respect for both the sport and his opponent. Father Vargas, a former world champion, has long been known for maintaining the highest standards of professionalism – a philosophy he has continued to uphold in his post-ring career.
Keeping with these high standards, the Senior Vargas stated, “Boxing is a business that demands discipline. Scales don’t lie, and to miss weight is a blatant disrespect to the sport and an opponent preparing for a fair fight“. His words come lauded with boxing wisdom gathered over a storied career in the ring.
The controversy erupted when Charlo, the WBC middleweight champion, failed to meet the necessary weight requirements for his title defence. According to boxing norms, he was presented with an additional two hours to shed the excess weight. In an unexpected turn of events, Charlo opted to pay the penalty fee instead of aiming for the weight loss, a decision that seeming jolted the boxing community.
This is not the first time that the boxing world has seen high-level athletes failing to meet the weight requirements. However, the reaction to Charlo’s decision underscores how serious a transgression this is seen to be. Specifically, when professional boxers like Fernando Vargas Sr. & Jr. make pointed remarks about a boxer’s commitment and respect for the sport, it highlights the extent of the issue.
Much of the outrage seems to be related to the understanding that a professional boxer should be able to stay within the required weight limits. Failure to do so is seen as a betrayal of the discipline required in the sport and a blatant disregard for the opponent’s preparations. Charlo’s decision to opt for the penalty fee instead of losing the weight further compounds the issue, perpetuating the narrative of unprofessionalism.
In retrospect, such incidents only serve to undermine the integrity of the sport and the athlete in question. In an industry where reputation and credibility are essential to a successful career, these missteps can lead to significant reputational damage. Guided by the sentiments expressed by personalities like Fernando Vargas Sr. & Jr., we, as a boxing community, should collectively advocate for responsible, professional behavior on and off the ring.
While the storm surrounding Charlo’s missed weight may pass over time, the lesson it provides should remain – that ring discipline extends beyond the fight itself and dwells much in the respect for the game and one’s opponent.
