Fernando Vargas (born December 7, 1977) is an American boxer and two-time world champion, who won a bronze medal as an amateur at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata. His nicknames include "Ferocious" and "The Aztec Warrior".

Some of Fernando's victims include former world champions Raul Marquez, Ike Quartey and Winky Wright (though many thought Wright won his fight against Vargas). His losses to Felix Trinidad, Oscar de la Hoya, and Shane Mosley remain his only career defeats and he is a favorite of American cable tv giant HBO.

Fernando is very good friends with Julio César Chávez; Chavez has been part of Vargas' ring entourage in at least two fights (the fight with Trinidad and the fight with de la Hoya).

Early years in amateurs & olympics

Vargas was born in Oxnard, California. In his youth, Vargas trained at the popular La Colonia Youth Boxing Club in the La Colonia Barrio neighborhood of Oxnard, California. Fernando Vargas compiled an extraordinary amateur record of 100-5. In 1992, he won the 132 lb. championships at the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, and came in second at the Junior Olympics. In 1993, he captured the triple crown of amateur boxing: the Junior Olympics Box-Offs, the Junior Olympics, and the Junior Olympics International tournament. The following year he solidified his position as one of the premier amateur fighters in the world by winning the 132 lb. gold medal at the Olympic Festival, seizing the U.S. Junior Championships at 132 lbs., and by becoming the youngest fighter ever to win the U.S. Championships. In 1995, he was selected to the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team.

Vargas lost a controversial decision in the second round of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics thanks to the much-maligned and often-ridiculed Olympic scoring system. Disappointed, but undaunted, Vargas set his sights on achieving greatness in the professional ranks.

Vargas was scheduled to turn pro on November of 1996, however, while training for the bout he broke his right hand. Eager to turn pro and begin his march toward a world championship, Vargas "ferociously" followed his physical therapy program, and within five months he was ready for his professional debut.
Source : Wikipedia