GLENDALE, Ariz. – Emiliano Vargas’ candidacy for Prospect of the Year took on a up-to-date dimension Friday after a well-rounded, diverse performance that saw him stop Irishman Larry Fryers in the fifth round.

Vargas (12-0, 10 KOs) showed off skills that were not expected from the 20-year-old, landing a powerful, deadly right hook, quick two-handed punches and relentless focus on the body and head.

“I had success with body shots,” he said. “I had to change that. I want to finish guys, but you can’t just do that.”

A powerful left hook split Fryers’ nose in the third round, and Vargas’ body blows opened up head combinations that dampened Fryers’ aggression and widened the points gap.

Fryers began bleeding under his left eye in the fourth round due to the sustained barrage. If Vargas continues to develop his knockout power, he compensates with a varied attack and activity that made Fryers suffer from body blows.

In the fifth round, the fighter was knocked down by left and right punches to the body, followed by a powerful left punch to the side of the head, which caused the referee to quickly end the fight.

“These Irish are like Mexicans,” Vargas said. “They have everything.”

Former champion Fernando Vargas’ son, Emiliano Vargas, said the evening was almost a complete success because he fought the way he wanted to.

“Never a numb moment,” Vargas said. “It’s such an incredible feeling to come out this early in my career and have a night like this.”

Vargas injured his right hand from landing so many punches.

“You have to do what you have to do to win. I’m a fighter,” he said. “Gaining experience… I have to go through this test. There’s no book, no instructional video. You have to go in and do it, get hit and experience things. This was one of my best fights, action-packed. I’m very excited.”

Following the stunning knockout of Top Rank prospect Alan Garcia by Spanish virtuoso Ricardo Fernandez earlier this month, the junior lightweight knockout victory of Philippine Charly Suarez over Texan Jorge Castaneda was a bit of a mixed bag.

Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) knocked down Castaneda (17-4) early in the third round, then finished the fight with another powerful right hook at 2:22 of the third round.

Las Vegas junior lightweight DJ Zamora showed why he is nicknamed “The War Machine” by skillfully landing daunting left punches from a left-handed stance to win a unanimous decision over Gerardo Antonio Perez, 80-72, 80-72, 79-73.

The Argentine Perez (12-6-1) started the third round with aggression, which Zamora (14-0) endured, returning to his effective form. The success that Perez experienced encouraged him to keep up the pressure and in the fourth round he landed a hook that shook his head.

But Zamora was more attentive to defense, softening the impact of the brawl that Perez openly accepted. Zamora’s combinations to end the eighth round were decisive, and the pair embraced after an entertaining eight rounds, each raising a hand to the appreciative crowd.

Junior bantamweight contender Steven Navarro of Los Angeles knocked out Oscar Arroyo with a relentless series of blows to the head, earning a third-round technical knockout at 2 minutes and 35 seconds.

The 20-year-old Navarro (4-0, 2 KOs) first landed a quick jab to the head on Arroyo in the first half of the first round, then again unsettled him with powerful left hand strikes.

A combination that ended with a right hook and a challenging left punch to the top of the head knocked down Virginia’s Arroyo (3-3) again behind schedule in the second half.

Mexican Jorge Garcia Perez (31-4, 26 KOs) needed just 46 seconds to finish German Ilias Essaoudi (22-3), landing a right hook to the left side. As Essaoudi winced in pain, Perez added two powerful headbutts to force the stoppage of the super middleweight fight.

Perez and the substitute said they believed Essaoudi had broken a rib.

Tijuana’s Sebastian Hernandez (17-0, 16 KOs) punished Venezuelan Yonfrez Parejo (24-7-1) for four rounds, forcing Parejo’s corner to stop the junior featherweight fight after four rounds.

TOMORROW evening at Wembley Stadium in London, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua must win to keep alive his dreams of a domestic blockbuster with Tyson Fury or a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

In the opposite corner, current IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is tasked with derailing the AJ train and bringing the Watford fighter one step closer to retirement.

Before they fight, 10 other contenders get a chance to shine for boxing’s newest power broker, Turki Alalshikh. There’s an eclectic mix of newborn fighters looking to make a name for themselves and senior hands trying to hold on to something they may have lost. Let’s see who Frank, Eddie (and Ben) have on this show.

Tyler Denny vs. Hamzah Sheeraz

An intriguing clash for Denny’s middleweight title. Once thrown into the national scrapheap, Denny is a boxing everyman determined to continue his budding fairy tale. But the powerful fists of Sheeraz await him.

Denny is finally getting the payday the former plumber deserves. If he beats Sheeraz, he’ll earn every penny. It’s a lofty order, because Sheeraz has looked exceptional at times throughout his career, learning and developing toward world-class status. To reach that level is admirable for the beloved left-handed champion, but this is probably a step too far.

Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington

While Cacace’s IBF title is out of the question (due to boxing politics), the IBO title remains, so this is a 12-round fight. Leeds favourite Warrington is reaching veteran status, but if his fuel tank and fitness levels stay up, he has every chance of causing an upset.

Cacace from Belfast is very talented and hits incredibly tough (just ask Joe Cordina). If his stamina holds up to the end, Anto will lose the fight. Two passionate fan bases will be ready to lead their man to victory. Warrington’s long, tough career could catch up with him.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Anthony Cacace and Josh Warrington react onstage before their Super Featherweight fight during the Riyadh Season – Wembley Edition press conference at Guildhall on September 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson

Another stylistic mashup that divided opinion. Willy Hutchinson is certainly a character and his win over Craig Richards answered many questions. Buatsi also defeated Richards and is a talent whose career came close to taking off but never quite took off.

Willy has excelled at breaking up lesser-known opponents, but when Lennox Clarke attacked him, he underestimated the heat, although he claims there were extenuating circumstances behind the loss. If Buatsi’s punches are true and his motivation matches his skills, he’s the best bet to press tough and seal the deal, whether it’s from range or on points.

Josh Kelly vs. Ishmael Davis

When original competitor Liam Smith withdrew, things looked uncertain for former Olympian Josh Kelly. Enter Ishmael Davis, a hard-working man with a troubled past who redeemed himself through noble art. Davis is fit, mighty, clumsy, and has already prepared for the fight. He may also have a few strategic tricks up his sleeve.

Kelly is talented, but how badly does he need a fight? He dominated Troy Williamson (Davis also won against Troy), but the Darlington man operates in straight lines. Davis, who strikes from both sides, is not as predictable. Kelly’s ability is there for all to see, but Davis’s desire could be the equalizer. This match could be a surprise.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Hamzah Sheeraz and Tyler Denny react onstage ahead of their European middleweight title fight during the Riyadh Season – Wembley Edition press conference at Guildhall on September 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley

Two undefeated fighters face off as Turki Alalshikh’s favorite fighter, Mark Chamberlain, takes on Josh Padley. Chamberlain is adept at finding his opponents’ weaknesses and using them to his advantage. The undefeated Padley technically moved up in weight to get this gigantic opportunity.

There’s a lot riding on this, as Chamberlain has promotional rival Sam Noakes on his radar. The way Chamberlain dismantled Gavin Gwynne was impressive. Padley will need to weather the early storm and persevere if he’s to have any chance of winning.

Mark Chamberlain’s career has reached a novel level in 2024. (Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Nilo Guerrero has taken a huge step towards contender status.

Guerrero defeated Mandeep Jangra by majority decision on Thursday night at the Legends Casino Hotel in Toppenish, Washington. Judge Alan Krebs (95-95) scored the fight a draw. Vincent Santino (96-94) and Perla Rodriguez (98-92) had enough of Guerrero in a clash of undefeated junior lightweights.

With this victory, Guerrero (10-0, 7 knockouts) won the lightweight world title.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” said Guerrero, a Nicaraguan candidate who lives in Coachella, Calif. “All the sacrifice and demanding work was worth it. Now I’m more motivated than ever to get back to work and try to be better every day.”

Guerrero was the more effective fighter in the first half of the fight, with the undefeated 24-year-old outboxing Jangra, switching attacks and landing combinations to the head and body.

Feeling like he was in the red, Jangra rebounded in the final three rounds, winning the tenth round on two of the three cards. If he had won on Santino’s card, the fight would have ended in a split decision draw.

Instead, Jangra — an Indian-born boxer who now lives in Florida — was forced to suffer his first defeat. The 31-year-old, represented by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions — who also trains with the Hall of Fame boxer from Pensacola — fell to a 10-1 (7 KO) loss.

In his previous fight on June 15, Guerrero defeated Duke Olguin by unanimous decision. The win over Olguin came exactly four months after Guerrero knocked out Dan Hernandez in the first round.

Guerrero is promoted by Toro Promotions and his manager is Vartan Torosyan.

Two athletes trained by Jones won.

Featherweight contender Dominique Roundtree of Augusta, Georgia defeated Roberto Cantu Pena by decision in six one-sided rounds. All three judges scored the fight 60-53 in favor of Roundtree, who improved to 10-0, 6 KOs.

Cantu Pena, originally from McAllen, Texas and currently residing in Rio Bravo, Mexico, lost 4-4, 3 KOs.

In a junior middleweight fight, Keon Papillion (10-0-1, 7 KOs) of Lafayette, Louisiana, defeated the experienced Rondale Hubbert (16-33-3, 10 KOs) of Duluth, Minnesota, in two rounds.

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