Long Island’s own, Alex “El Toro” Vargas, of Bellport, is stepping out of his home ring at The Paramount in Huntington and taking a leap onto the world’s stage. As of the new year, Vargas has been ranked number 14 in the world as a Super Lightweight boxer, according to the World Boxing Association.
Vargas spoke to The Messenger in November after he won his first boxing title and belt. Since then, he has been ranked on the world’s stage and stands tall in 14th place, a ranking he was just hoping to make back in November.
“I was told that winning the WBA Continental belt in my last fight gave me a chance at being in the top 15 but honestly, I didn’t expect that to really happen,” Vargas tells The Messenger. Waiting the two months after winning his belt to find out the results allowed Vargas to doubt his ranking. It was the first day of the new year when Vargas received the news.
“It was so unexpected. The initial moment my jaw dropped and was shocked especially since I wasn’t expecting it at all. It took me a day or two to really realize that I was ranked 14 in the entire world. It was the perfect way to start the year.”
This ranking was well-earned for Vargas, who quickly jumped the ranks from amateur to pro in 2018, at the age of 22.
“I think I knew and got the confidence of what I was really capable of after my fourth pro fight. It took me a bit to adjust to the smaller gloves, no headgear, and other things,” said Vargas. “But then, I started sparring with former and current world champions, or just some of the best fighters in the world, week in and week out. I started getting phone calls to train with them and had my father, as well as some of the best trainers in the world, helping me.”
Vargas’ fourth professional fight was against Deo Kizito of Maryland in 2019, one of the last fights of Kizito’s career.
“Then promoters started offering contracts,” said Vargas. “That’s when I realized I wasn’t the only one who believed in how far I could go, but all of these other promoters and fighters that have been there and done it, felt the same way and let that be known.”
Now that the ranking is out, and Vargas’ talent is seen on the world’s stage, support for him will likely not fade anytime soon.
“With the ranking means it gets even more complicated. A lot of negotiations will be going on as to money, venues, and opponents to try to navigate moving up the rankings and getting that opportunity for the world title and ranked number one in the world,” explains Vargas. “As long as my team and I get what we deserve and aren’t being shortchanged, then I’m ready for whatever opportunity is next.”
He explains that a career in boxing can be taxing on a person. Some fighters jump at every opportunity to fight if it is their only source of income, even if it isn’t what the fighter deserves. Vargas has a team supporting him and ensuring he is fairly compensated each fight, something he is able to do because of his full-time career in law enforcement.
“I’m very fortunate to have a job in the Suffolk County Police Department. I go to work where I live, which gives me an amazing quality of life. I’m very lucky to have something to fall back on.”
Vargas lives, works, and trains within Suffolk County, a balance that he is still working on getting used to.
“Honestly, the most difficult time in my boxing career is right now.”
Vargas was never truly a full-time boxer, however there were times it was his only profession. Growing up in Bellport, Vargas boxed throughout high school but put fighting aside to pursue five-and-a-half years of college, earning his Master’s Degree. After higher education and going pro, Vargas was able to get back to his boxing roots.
“When I first turned pro, it was stressful and I wasn’t making any money, but I was able to simply train and focus on fighting. Now, having a full-time job alongside boxing is very difficult. It’s hard when you’re not eating when you should, not getting the rest you need, having long stressful days at work and still having to go train before and after work is extremely taxing physically and mentally. Staying positive and focused with so many other things going on takes a lot. I’ve had a lot of tough opponents throughout my career but at this moment, the most difficult thing is trying to balance so much at once.”
It may be the hardest part of his career, however it is also the most rewarding. Vargas is proud of his accomplishments and how far he has made it, although he did not make it there alone.
“Huge thank you to my mom, dad, and sister for helping and supporting me in this journey since the beginning. Also, to my team, my sponsors, and my fans for all the support they have given me whether it was when I first turned pro to now,” adds Vargas. “Lastly, to the Suffolk County Police Department for supporting me and allowing me to represent the department in the best way I can. Everything you all do and have done means a lot to me.”
The SCPD has been in Vargas’ corner throughout his whole journey as an officer and boxer. Hundreds of his coworkers sit in the stands of the Paramount to cheer him on, certainly loud enough for everyone to know who they are rooting for.
It’s been a long and winding road for Vargas, who began boxing as just a child in his basement. He was able to join a real gym at the age of nine, where he worked hard to make a name for himself.
“To any of the young boxers or athletes coming up, as cliché as it sounds, hard work truly does pay off,” says Vargas.
Vargas says he was told many times throughout his career that he wouldn’t be able to accomplish the things he has in boxing, whether it be due to his size, his experience, or his attempt to balance it with other interests like school and work.
“Use all of the doubt that people have in you as motivation. Anything is possible to accomplish as long as you put the work in and stay focused no matter all of the ups and downs you go through.”
The Messenger congratulates Vargas on his world ranking, and while he may not know what is next for him in the coming months, we look forward to rooting him on as he reaches for the number-one ranking in the world.
