October 22, 1999
"WRIGHT" TIME FOR VARGAS: IBF junior middle-weight champion Fernando Vargas (17-0, 17 KO's) will make the third defense of his crown on December 4 against Ronald "Winky" Wright (39-2, 24 KO's). Recently, Vargas offered his thoughts on his upcoming opponent: "He's a slick southpaw, but I'm not concerned because I never had any problems with southpaws. Plus, I've worked with the greatest southpaw of all-time, "Sweet Pea" Whitaker. I helped get him ready for Oscar de la Hoya.
I'm a boxer-puncher, he's [Wright] a boxer who once-in-a-while decides to punch. He doesn't want to engage much, and he doesn't like it when you put pressure on him." How does Wright compare to other fighters that Fernando has fought? "I don't think Winky's up there with Campas and Marquez. Marquez has a lot of heart. He doesn't quit. Against me he showed what a true Mexican warrior is all about. I don't think Winky's been tested yet. But this fight will be his test. He's going to feel my punches, especially my body shots."
Vargas also expressed excitement about a possible showdown against former WBA welterweight champion Ike Quartey in March 2000, but made it clear that he isn't looking past Wright: "I look at Wright as a threat because anyone I step in the ring against is a threat. They're trying to take what's mine. I will do everything possible to get Wright out of there."
TALK ABOUT A FAN: How popular is heavyweight contender Andrew Golota (34-3, 28 KO's)? Ask Oklahoma City, OK, resident Bobby Dobbs: "I named my first born son after Golota—Andrezj Tristan Dobbs. Dobbs is a 23-year-old Direct TV distributor who admits that his wife didn't share his enthusiasm about naming their now three-month old son after Golota: "It wasn't easy talking her into it. I had to work her into it. But now she's almost as big a fan of Golota as I am." Bowe-Go-lota II, which took place on December 11, 1996, was the bout that sparked Dobbs' interest in boxing: "I had never seen a more exciting fight than Bowe-Golota II. Prior to that fight I was just a casual boxing fan. But that fight turned me into a full-fledged boxing fan." Dobbs will attend his first fight on November 20 when he flies to Atlantic City, NH, to watch Golota challenge NABF heavyweight champion Michael Grant (30-0, 21 KO's) at Trump Taj Mahal. It's a good thing for Dobbs' son that Dobbs isn't a rabid fan of Khaosai Galaxy... The Grant-Golota bout will be broadcast live on HBO's "World Championship Boxing" Series at 9:30 p.m. ET.
ZAB IN EXHIBITION: IBF interim junior welterweight champion Zab Judah (21-0, 16 KO's) will not box in a 10 rounder against Manuel Gomez on the October 23 Tyson-Norris under-card. Instead, on that same October 23 undercard, he will perform 2 three-round sparring exhibitions. One of his sparring opponents will be 1996 U.S. Olympian Juaquin Gallardo (6-0, 3 KO's).
In a letter sent to Main Events dated October 19, IBF President Bob Lee rejected a plea from Judah to box on October 23: "While it has been discussed [an interim bout]. I do not feel it is keeping within the spirit of the rules and that is to have the champion make his defense on a timely basis. For that reason, I am indicating that Mr. Judah, not Mr. Millet, may not participate in any interim bout now that they have been notified that the mandatory is due."
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