Boxing champ aims to give at-risk youths a fighting chance

Jessie Vargas is living the American Dream.

The 26-year-old professional boxer won the world championship in a second weight division after defeating Sadam Ali in March — making him the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight champion, junior welterweight champion and is the World Boxing Association junior welterweight world champion.

“This might sound weird, but I always knew I was going to be in this position,” said Vargas, a northwest Las Vegas resident. “There was just no other way for me. This is the result of hard work and dedication in the gym. Now, I’m living the dream.”

Born on May 10, 1989, in Los Angeles, Vargas moved to North Las Vegas when he was 5. Like many second-generation Americans, his parents emigrated from Guerrero, Mexico, to the United States in search of a better life — hence his nickname, which crosses all borders: The People’s Champion Jessie Vargas.

Although Guerrero is known for its renowned beaches of Acapulco and Ixtapa, recent news reports have highlighted the surge of violence perpetrated by politically motivated guerrillas and drug cartels.

“My parents moved because they wanted to give their kids a better future,” Vargas said. “They came from a poor background, but the U.S. gave us an opportunity to succeed.”

In a way, he said, the valley and his upbringing helped shape the man he is today.

“I lived in a tough neighborhood, but I was always friendly with everyone,” Vargas said. “I learned quickly that you had to gain respect from students. My father introduced me to boxing as a way to defend myself. Ever since then, I just fell in love with the sport.”

Vargas started boxing when he was 8 at the Richard Steele Boxing Club, 2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 110. Besides using the sport as a way to guard himself from bullies, he said he fell in love with its intricacy.

“It’s a sport that requires one-on-one combat where you have to outsmart your opponent,” Vargas said. “Boxing is a gamble; it’s almost like a risk. You don’t want to get hit, and you have to pay attention to every movement. You’re constantly trying to figure out your opponent. You have to figure out what he’s thinking and ways to trick him.”

As an amateur boxer, he was a two-time Mexican National Champion, a two-time U.S. Junior National Champion and a member of the 2008 Mexican Olympic Team. He is also a three-time U.S. National Champion and World Boxing Organization Continental Americas junior welterweight champion.

His trainer, Dewey Copper, has known Vargas since he first started boxing. While many young children started at around that time, Copper said Vargas always stood out.

“There were a lot of good kids fighting and training, but Jessie was one of the few who stayed focused throughout his teenage knucklehead years,” Copper said. “Las Vegas offers a lot of distractions, but I think his father did a great job of guiding him and supporting him through his young teens. Jessie is disciplined, dedicated, determined and has a lot of desire and drive. That’s kept him on top.”

Now almost 20 years later, Vargas said he has never forgotten his roots, which is why he has made it a priority to work on improving the lives of Las Vegas-area at-risk youths.

He has become a driving force behind the creation of a boxing program for young men detained at the Spring Mountain Youth Camp, a staff-secure correctional facility for male youths ages 12 to 18.

The boxing program was created in January 2015 and aims to boost the teens’ confidence, discipline and sense of accomplishment to help prepare them for a smooth transition into the community.

“I’ve watched him several times from a distance at the youth camp, and you can see him manage his patience, and he just gets it, and it’s genuine,” said Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly.

Vargas also arranges opportunities in Las Vegas for any youths who wish to continue training in boxing after they leave the camp.

“God blessed me to be in the position that I’m in, and now, I’m trying to give back in any way I can,” Vargas said. “These kids and I grew up in a similar way. I’m trying to show them that bullying is not the way to go. It won’t benefit them in any way.”

Recently, the County Commission recognized Vargas for his efforts.

“When you have an individual like Jessie Vargas, who is so genuine and gives so much of himself, it’s worthy of this type of recognition,” Weekly said. “He has a way of sharing his message with boys whose wheels have fallen off of the track. He’s able to give them motivation.”

Vargas (who has a 27-1, 10-knockout record) said he has plans to fight in July on HBO. While he said he wants a rematch against Timothy Bradley Jr., he also has his eyes on Miguel Cotto.

“As a fighter, Jessie is evolution at its finest,” Copper said. “He is a finisher and a hard-hitter. If he’s hit hard, he can fight it out — it’s the machismo in him. Overall, he’s multidimensional and can do it all. That’s what makes him special. We’re not sure who he’s fighting in July, but whoever the hell it is, he’ll do it, and he’ll win.”

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.