Mayorga Beats Vargas in Los Angeles

Ricardo Mayorga, right, throws a punch to the head of Fernando Vargas during the seventh round of their WBC Super Middleweight Championship at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. Mayorga won on majority decision. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (Kevork Djansezian - AP)

The crowd of 10,365 at Staples Center was almost completely pro-Vargas _ no surprise considering Oxnard is about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Wearing a camouflage robe and trunks, Mayorga was roundly booed as he entered the ring. Vargas, wearing a sombrero, followed to a loud ovation. But once he disrobed, Vargas appeared a little soft around the middle, no doubt a lot heavier than the 164 pounds he weighed a day earlier.

Mayorga went right after Vargas in the first round, throwing a flurry of punches. The crowd began a chant of "Vargas, Vargas," and their man promptly threw a low blow that drew a warning from referee Raul Caiz Sr.

Then, late in the round, Mayorga attacked again, and floored Vargas with a left hand, celebrating before his opponent quickly got to his feet.

Mayorga continued to force the action, and appeared to hurt Vargas early in the third round, opening a cut over his left eye. But much to the crowd's delight, Vargas fought back, and did some damage later in the round.

Mayorga said he didn't believe the bout would go beyond three rounds, and Vargas had said six.

They were both wrong.

Mayorga threw a couple of punches after the bell sounded ending the eighth round, and made a gesture of apology before the ninth, which Vargas acknowledged.

The two fought on even terms in the 11th until Mayorga floored Vargas with a right hand in the final seconds.

Vargas' manager, Joe Percora, said his fighter could earn up to $15 million, depending on the number of pay-per-view subscribers. Mayorga is expected to be paid about half of what Vargas gets.