Big Time Boxing Returns to RGV as Vargas Brothers Headline Bert Ogden Arena

Big-time boxing returns to the Rio Grande Valley this Saturday at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, as undefeated prospect "El Feroz" Fernando Vargas Jr., son of the legendary former world champion and brother Amado Vargas, will headline the card. Plus, former WBC Super Bantamweight world champion and top-ranked Featherweight Brandon Figueroa will be the night's special guest.

In the evening main event, Vargas Jr., 11-0 (11), will battle rugged Colombian veteran Luis Eduardo Florez in a six-round Jr. welterweight affair. Also on the card is highly touted and undefeated featherweight prospect Nathan Rodriguez, 11-0 (7), who will battle Jonas Castillo of Nicaragua in a six-round scrap.

Two other highly touted Texas natives will also be featured on the card. Rio Grande Valley native Xavier Bocanegra, 2-0 (1), a hard-hitting KO artist from Donna, will face off with Julian Yanez, a Rio Grande Native-based fighter. Bocanegra trains with legendary trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston and looks to bounce back from a hand injury that has kept him sidelined for over a year. Also,14X national champion and undefeated bantamweight Jesus "Panterita" Martinez of Del Rio returns to the ring 4-0-1 (2) and takes on Kenneth Jamerson.

In addition to Saturday's thrilling fights, there is a full, fan-friendly fight week that includes a "Team Vargas" Media workout and meet and greet with the Vargas boys on Thursday at the Moon Rock in Harlingen. On Friday, the official weigh-in will be held at the Los Lagos Golf Course in Edinburg at 12 p.m.

PowerBox Promotions Bringing Big Time Boxing Back to RVG

The Rio Grande Valley is quickly becoming one of boxing's top hot spots. The valley is producing top-notch, world-class, talent at breakneck speeds. Its knowledgeable and passionate fan base is unmatched anywhere in the country. It's only fitting that the region hosts big-time boxing events, and that's exactly what PowerBox Promotions and Marv Nation are teaming up to do. The two promotional companies will host a press conference on Thursday, June 29th, to formally announce an August 26th fight card that will take place at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas. The world-class fight card will feature the two sons of legendary two-time 154-pound world champion Fernando Vargas. Undefeated hard-hitting middleweight Fernando "El Feroz'" Vargas Jr, 11-0 (11), will headline the evening's main event. While younger brother Amado Vargas, an 8-0 (3), featherweight, will be featured in the co-main event.

The good news does not stop there for South Texas fight fans. August 26th is not a one-shot deal either; rather it will mark the beginning of a series of big-time boxing events that will take place in the RGV. According to PowerBox Promotions President Letty Cantu, "They are looking to have a series of boxing matches... and are looking to highlight the Rio Grande Valley." She added that the region has "the talent and a strong appetite for boxing" Cantu, who is based in San Antonio, said they will start with the RGV and then expand throughout Texas.

There certainly is a tremendous appetite for the sweet science in the Rio Grande Valley, as Cantu says. The local shows in the area always draw unprecedented numbers and produce fan-friendly all-action fights. Bringing big-time fights back to the region on a regular basis certainly looks like a home run for all involved. The Bert Ogden Arena last hosted a professional boxing event in August 2019. The event was headlined by Weslaco native Brandon Figueroa, who scored a fourth-round knockout of Javier Chacon in front of a packed-out crowd.

Thursday's Press conference will kick off at 10:30 AM and is open to the public.