By Shawn Smith

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. 

A young man is getting in fights at school, can’t concentrate in class because his brain is going 100 miles a minute. His parents aren’t sure what to do. The doctors are starting to prescribe medication to settle him down and help him focus. 

The influences are becoming dangerous and the streets are becoming meaner. 

Concerned that their son is heading down the wrong path, the parents enroll him in boxing to enforce discipline and help to burn some of that left over energy.

While the sport is constantly evolving, stories like this remain the same. For as long as there has been boxing in United States, there have been kids who look to it for guidance, using the sport that is known for ending lives to save one. 

Antonio Vargas, 19, is a member of the U.S. National Boxing Team, and his story is like many others. A spry, confident young man who still has much of his boyish charm about him, Vargas is aware of how differently things could have gone if not for boxing. 


“My dad was the one who decided to put me in boxing,” Vargas said. “Growing up as a kid, I had ADHD. I was always getting into trouble in school, getting into fights. I could never stay still. My dad put me in boxing because they wanted to put me on medication and he didn’t want to do that to me so he put me in boxing instead.”

Vargas emerged on the world stage during the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada. While it’s cliché to say that he looked special during that moment, he showed the makings of a world-class fighter, whether in the amateur or professional ranks. 

His infectious smile enthused the crowd and his mix of speed and power in the ring impressed many en route to a gold medal. What might have been most impressive however, was his confidence.

“I was expected to win, everybody thought I would win no problem,” Vargas said. “What I tend to do is use that pressure to help motivate me and push harder. I try to switch it up to motivate me to work harder.”

In December, Vargas took the first step towards securing his goal of fighting at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when he earned a spot on the U.S. National Team. But that still does not guarantee he’ll compete at the Olympics. To secure his spot, he’ll have to finish first or second in the upcoming American Olympic Qualification Tournament, which takes place from March 8 – March 20 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

He’ll be looking to follow in the footsteps of American Olympians Jackie Fields, Leo Randolph, Floyd Patterson and Claressa Shields, all of which captured gold medals for the United States during their teenage years.  

Photo: AIBA

According to the Oct. 29 rankings released by the Amateur International Boxing Association, Vargas is ranked 18th in the world, but that doesn’t mean he is out of medal contention. Some names ahead of him, including Andrew Selby, have already turned pro and will not be representing their country at the upcoming Olympics. 

During his run to gold at the Pan Am Games, Vargas defeated fourth ranked David Jimenez Rodriguez of Costa Rica and third ranked Yosbany Veitia of Cuba, meaning a medal isn’t out of Vargas’ grasp. 

In speaking with Vargas, it comes as no surprise that he would have his sights set on a first place finish. An ultra-competitive athlete, he has always been driven to finish first, no matter the competition. 

“If I’m running and I see that they’re trying to pass me up, I get competitive. I’m not gonna let that happen. I’ve always gotta be first. I’ve been like that since I was young.”

It’s that level of competitiveness that has made Vargas a successful fighter since his first tournament. 

Beat up during his first day in the gym, Vargas returned with a vengeance. The competitor in him kicked in and he came back with a desire to improve. 

“My first tournament, I boxed four days in a row and beat everybody,” Vargas said. “They gave me this big old belt. It was my first belt and it was big. I was like 65lbs and the belt weighed like 25lbs. From then on I knew maybe I could do something with this sport and I kept winning tournament after tournament. As I got older, I was winning silver gloves, golden gloves, getting ranked number one in the U.S. It all started with that first tournament, winning that first belt.”

Since then, Vargas hasn’t looked back. But don’t get used to seeing Vargas fight in the amateurs, he’s made clear that he has every intention of turning professional after the 2016 Olympics. 

“I’ve had a few promoters contact me and stuff, but for me I’m just focused on getting this gold medal,” Vargas said. “After that, the offers will just keep coming and coming.”

First up though are the Olympics, where a gold medal could launch Vargas into superstardom and secure a major contract. 

For Vargas, it’s gold or bust. 

“I know I have what it takes to win that gold, I know it’s in me,” Vargas said. “My standards are very high. I don’t expect anything less of myself than a gold medal.”