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SportsTranscript
00:00All right gentlemen, you received the instructions in the dressing room, know what I expect?
00:05Good clean fight.
00:07Legal punches here for you, legal punches here for you.
00:10Tuscaloosa to both of you.
00:12Larry Friars is an 8-year pro, he's going to try to test the mettle of the young Emiliano
00:18Fernando El General Vargas, 11-0 with 9 knockouts.
00:21The story of Larry Friars, September 11th of last year, got hit by a car when he was
00:26doing his road work, was left for dead in a hit-and-run car accident, he survived, had
00:324 surgeries since, left eye, left elbow, left wrist and right knee for meniscus and cartilage
00:38damage, he survived.
00:40The police officer said the only reason you survived is because you were in great shape.
00:45He asked the police officer, so this guy who left me for dead gets a misdemeanor after
00:51the accident.
00:52What happens if I show up at his front door and punch him in the face?
00:55He says you get jail time.
00:57He says what if I run him off the road?
00:59He says don't tell me that.
01:01This is the guy you have in the ring tonight Tim, he is fearless.
01:05Yeah, he definitely is fearless, he don't need to be, because Emiliano already is starting
01:10to use some lateral movement to set up his offense, especially down to the body, you
01:15saw that left hook, that inside slip left hook.
01:18Emiliano has a full arsenal, and yes he's still developing, he's still honing his skills
01:24as he's moving through his ranks slowly, however, great slip counters, good step back
01:30counters as well, very active with his counter punching and defense.
01:36You see the pressure that Friars promised he was going to put on the young Vargas, he
01:40said I'm going to put my head in his chest and let's see how he handles that, and so
01:44far, Vargas behind the jab, doing good work and using his legs.
01:48Look, sometimes you have to look past the obvious, the obvious thing is that top rank
01:52is high on this young man, you know, he's shown that he had great punching power, great
01:57movement, great technique, yada yada yada yada.
02:00Friars is saying, I'm tougher, I'm going to be in his chest, I'm going to beat on him,
02:05I'm going to hit him more than he's going to hit me, or at least he's going to try to
02:09attempt that tonight.
02:11Straight right hands there from Vargas who now is making Friars go backward, nice uppercut
02:18from Emiliano Vargas as Friars has to hold on, left hook, picking him apart as Friars'
02:26plan is going out the window early on, thanks to the southpaw stance now of Emiliano Vargas.
02:34Emiliano Vargas is having fun inside that ring right now, switching southpaw to orthodox,
02:39again, still being responsible defensively, when he's landed those left hands on the outside,
02:44he was off the line of fire, for anything to come back at him, just like there, getting
02:49underneath that shot right there, good defense, great responsibility with his offense and
02:54defense together.
02:55Nice right hand as Friars tried to close the gap, Vargas landed an overhand right, and
03:02discipline Friars with the jab, and another right that wobbles the legs of the Irishman.
03:08He's shown a lot of heart here in the early going, you see
03:11Emiliano's mother in the stands, everyone is happy, she's been through the ups and downs,
03:19her husband Fernando Vargas became the youngest champ at 21 years 105 days old, the goal for
03:26Emiliano is to beat that record and to become prospect of the year, the fighting blood runs
03:31through Vargas veins.
03:39He wasn't there for most of it, what he can't remember though, he knows in his bones,
03:47the greatest of highs, the pitiless lows, most fighters fight so the kids won't have to,
03:57most fighters sons know better than to tempt their fates in boxing, but these guys are different.
04:05My father's there every step of the way, so I'm looking to make him proud.
04:09It's not the family business, so much as a calling.
04:14I would never try to be like my father, my father is a one-on-one,
04:17I would never try to be that at the end of the day, I'm me.
04:21Tonight, the youngest of Fernando Vargas' three sons, and just maybe the best,
04:28the one they call the general.
04:30Now it's time for me to show the world what El General is about.
04:35And Tim, a lot of times the name opens up doors, but it's also a heavy burden to carry.
04:43You're absolutely right, but the young man is carrying it very well.
04:49You can see in his performance right now, you know, Friars is not giving much resistance,
04:53he's trying to close the distance, however, it's like he's been here before, it's like,
04:58you know, when he was in his mother's womb and she was watching his father fight,
05:03and he was hearing all the noise, he's ready for this moment,
05:06and that's the reason why he's on this stage at 20 years old.
05:11Emiliano took his first steps in Corpus Christi as his father was getting ready to step into the ring,
05:16one of his last fights as a pro, and he says, I don't remember much about his career,
05:22probably better for him to not remember the final stages of Fernando's career,
05:26but he does remember how to go to the body and land the right uppercut,
05:30because it's ingrained in his DNA.
05:34There's another liver shot.
05:36That's how you break down your opposition right there, you get them used to body shots,
05:40you start to zap his energy, take his legs, and then eventually the headshot will open up.
05:49Every now and then Friars is sneaking past the guards of Emiliano, he's timing them,
05:54either with a right hand occasionally and also a jab, he's gonna have to do more of that.
05:59That's exactly what he needs to do, again, let those hands go,
06:03something will eventually land.
06:04Vargas is punishing the body of the 34-year-old who's coming off of four surgeries,
06:1015 months away from the ring, a miracle that he's walking, much less fighting a young prospect.
06:16Nice straight shot from Vargas, catches Friars coming in.
06:23Look, it looks pretty easy for Vargas right now, right?
06:26But he can't afford to get too complacent at all, he's gotta stay responsible defensively.
06:30I mean, earlier during the show, we saw Alan Garcia get knocked out along the ropes.
06:36It was somewhat complacency, yes, but it was a mistake.
06:40The young man Vargas can't afford that, you know, Friars has everything to gain, nothing to lose.
06:46So he has to be cautious in there with his approach.
06:56Look at the pace, it's kind of settled down now, both fighters.
07:03You see the skills of Vargas setting the tone in terms of
07:07what range the fight is going to be contested at.
07:11Taking away the best weapon of Friars, which is that tenacity in close range.
07:16I think his corner told him, take your time, man, why are you rushing me?
07:20You got eight rounds to work, take your time, slowly break this guy down, show your skills,
07:25show the world your skills, eventually you're going to get to Friars.
07:31Nice left uppercut again, Vargas hurts, fires up against the ropes,
07:35and triple, quadruple uppercut that allows Vargas to take a shot.
07:40Yes, he can.
07:42But he is wobbling back to that corner.
07:56We're going to fight him from that stance.
08:00Those uppercuts really work, so I need you to keep doing that.
08:03You're fighting beautifully.
08:08All right, let's look at the best action.
08:10Again, when you have your opposition along the ropes,
08:12what you got to do is you got to bite, and you bite down.
08:15You got them pinned on those ropes, keep them on those ropes.
08:17Work that hands, work both hands.
08:20You see Vargas right here just getting quick work.
08:22Take advantage of the positioning of Friars, just leaning forward,
08:26square it up along the ropes with those uppercuts.
08:30Some good work right there from the young man, Vargas.
08:48Mouthpiece, stay back.
08:51See the competitiveness from Fernando Vargas,
08:54but always taking care of his son because defense first.
08:59He's encouraging him, but he's also giving him the instructions
09:02on how to take care of himself every time he steps out there.
09:05You have defense, defense, defense.
09:07You know, I look at a fighter's defense, and I can tell you right away,
09:10is he going to be something or not?
09:12I mean, offensively, yes, offense can be a defense.
09:15Yes, it can.
09:16However, no defense because if you can't take punches,
09:19like Friars taking punches, you can't take those type of shots.
09:24You don't last long in the business.
09:26Absolutely not, and those uppercuts are just finding a home
09:29right on the chin of Larry Friars.
09:32Now the body, overhand left, and it's just a plethora
09:36of perfectly placed punches from Vargas as he lands the left again.
09:40He's spamming the uppercuts, he's just spamming them.
09:42Right over the middle, he can't miss with it.
09:44Friars is leaning forward.
09:45You see when he even jabs, he's leaning forward as well.
09:48Friars needed to pay for that antivirus
09:50so he wouldn't get spammed with those left uppercuts, man.
09:52Nice body work.
09:56I think he was never taught.
10:00But he's there, he's game.
10:01Look it, he's coming back with his offense.
10:02Anytime there's low points, and that's what veterans do.
10:06They take advantage of any low points in your offense
10:09when you're trying to rest and recover.
10:11You saw Vargas throw about 10 to 12 punches.
10:14Now he's trying to reset himself, rejuvenate himself.
10:19Even though you're young, Tim, it still takes something out of you
10:21to throw that many shots.
10:23Absolutely.
10:26And the young man is still learning how to manage a fight.
10:30Manage the energy.
10:32He just spent a ton of energy right there.
10:34Now he's trying to rest.
10:35However, it would serve him great if he just got on his jab.
10:40Just use your jab.
10:41There he goes.
10:41He'll tear up that nose, which is already bleeding.
10:45Oh, now he's getting comfortable.
10:46Now he's starting to walk Friars down.
10:48Friars is looking for that right hand.
10:50To the solo flexes.
10:51And that sets up the shots to the head.
10:53And downstairs, once again, from the Mediano bodyguards.
10:56But Larry Friars, he's going to fire back.
11:09Friars is still there.
11:17Remaining solid.
11:18Remaining tough.
11:19Although he's taken a beating.
11:23Though mentally, he's definitely prepared for this fight.
11:29Physically as well.
11:31However, the lack of skill.
11:33You can see the skill difference in both fighters and athletic ability.
11:40Nice overhand right there to end the round.
11:51From the Mediano bodyguards.
11:53Gets caught by a left hand from Larry Friars.
11:56He is a live dog in there tonight.
11:59Got a ton of heart.
12:02Mark and you told us a story about Larry Friars and why he does this.
12:10All right, we'll get back to Mark and tell us the story of Larry Friars.
12:28We listen in to Andrew's shot.
12:40And referee Raul Caiz Jr. just said that the cut was caused by a punch.
12:48So I think good referee work there from Raul Caiz Jr.
13:01Welcome in.
13:02Everyone who saw Stanford defeat Syracuse College football action.
13:06Welcome to top-ranked boxing on ESPN from Glendale, Arizona.
13:11Inside the Desert Diamond Arena.
13:13Bernardo Osuna alongside the Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley.
13:16In the ring, Emiliano, El General Fernando Vargas.
13:20That name may sound familiar.
13:22Yes, he is the son of the former world champion Fernando Elferoz Vargas.
13:27He's in the southpaw stance.
13:29Taking on Ireland, Larry Friars.
13:32The man who's been out of the ring for 15 months.
13:36Overcame four surgeries to be here tonight.
13:39And he says, I'm hungrier than ever and I'm going to put this kid to the test.
13:43Oh, what a liver shot there from Emiliano Vargas.
13:46Oh, did you see that right hand get pinned to the side right quick, real quick.
13:51Well-placed body shot right there from the young phenom.
14:00Again, it looks like Vargas is just taking his time.
14:04He's not in any rush right now.
14:05He's just taking his time.
14:07Systematically breaking down Friars.
14:08Little by little, each round.
14:10He should start picking it up more and more each round.
14:13Fourth fight of 2024 for this young undefeated prospect.
14:17Looking for his 12th victory as a pro.
14:19Nine of his first 11 wins came by way of stoppage.
14:23And he is systematically putting in work on lethal Larry Friars.
14:29There's a nice stiff jab.
14:30Making sure Friars knows that to cross that threshold, there's going to be a jab in his face.
14:36A little bit too much head, honey, for me with Friars.
14:38I mean, if you want to hit the largest target, it's the body.
14:42You want to hit the body because then you start to zap the young man's energy.
14:46You start taking his power away.
14:47And then he starts to sit in front of you once you take those legs away with hitting him down to the body.
14:53Nice right uppercut from Emiliano Vargas.
14:56Friars walking backwards.
14:58This is not where he wants to be against Emiliano Vargas.
15:01The ropes are his enemy as much as the fists of Vargas are.
15:04As he continues to dig to the solar plexus.
15:08Yep, that's what I was going to say.
15:10Friars needs to look.
15:10Wow, my God.
15:12He lift him off his feet with that one.
15:18Yes, Vargas like that outside slip, left hand down the middle.
15:26Oh, my God.
15:26There's a combination.
15:28There it is.
15:28You see referee Raul Caiz Jr. on top of the action, ready to step in.
15:33Look at Friars fighting back, though.
15:34That's what you have to do, Tim.
15:36Bring it up a little.
15:37If you do your job, the referee won't have to do his.
15:39No, you're absolutely right.
15:40And if you let your hands go, you can deflect some of those shots.
15:44But if you don't, you're just going to eat him.
15:46Oh, what a shot to the body from Emiliano El General Vargas.
15:50Gave him Bambi legs right there with that shot.
15:55Great action here in Glendale, Arizona.
15:58If you are watching us on ESPN News, we invite you to move over to ESPN.
16:04After this break, we'll be on the ESPN.
16:07Oh, my goodness.
16:09Yo, those are nice.
16:10Hold on one second.
16:11Candice, what's up?
16:12I think my daughter's going pro at basketball.
16:13Yeah, she's three.
16:14Yeah, she's three.
16:15What's your point?
16:15I'll take those.
16:16Wait, you're at Dick's?
16:17Could you pick up an agility ladder for my daughter?
16:18One second, one second.
16:19Candice.
16:20Don, what are you doing?
16:21Oh, you're at Dick's.
16:22Grab me that new Z and D hoodie.
16:23Candice.
16:24Trent.
16:24Can you get me a red tracksuit?
16:26OK.
16:26What else?
16:26Band-Aids.
16:27Nape hats.
16:28Maybe a scrunchie.
16:29Hey, she got to see her.
16:30You got two days going right now.
16:31What do you think's the next step?
16:33Hey, Patrick, let me call you back.
16:35She hung up.
16:36Oh, my goodness.
16:37This dude, I cannot.
16:40Ah, the perfect day.
16:41Yeah, to put down some Scots turf, build a winter garden.
16:44It's perfect for giving the lawn a boost this fall.
16:46Think you mean perfect for repairing
16:48all the fun I had this summer?
16:49No, it's perfect for strengthening roots
16:51to help protect it all winter.
16:53More like perfect for giving the grass a deeper green
16:55come spring.
16:56Sounds like it's perfect for your neighbor.
16:58Yeah.
16:58Who's going to take this back?
16:59Wait, what?
17:00And borrow your spreader.
17:02Thanks, guys.
17:02You're welcome.
17:03Enjoy it.
17:03I'm going back in the shed.
17:04Download the My Lawn app today for lawn care tips
17:06and customized plans.
17:07Feed the lawn.
17:08Feed it.
17:11Larry Friar says I do this for my children.
17:13Mark Kriegel talked to us about that story.
17:16Well, his own manager told him after four surgeries,
17:19what do you want to fight this young star for?
17:21He goes, it's because of what I do.
17:22Give me the contract.
17:23I said, well, what did you tell your wife and your four kids?
17:27I said, this is what daddy does.
17:29And that's what corners do.
17:30He says, I'm giving you one more chance.
17:32And you shot, because you can't save this guy
17:34from his own heart.
17:35Absolutely.
17:36No doubt, the heart of an Irishman, Larry Friars,
17:39comes to fight.
17:40He's already overcome so much outside of the ring,
17:43alcoholism and an injury after an accident
17:46that saw four surgeries.
17:48Did Emiliano Vargas just hurt his hand there, Tim?
17:51That's what I was looking at.
17:52I didn't like what I saw just a second ago.
17:54I mean, he backed off.
17:55He backed off real quick.
17:57And it might be his right hand.
17:58Let's see if he uses it.
17:59Yeah, he's just using the jab right now.
18:01And that could change the fight dramatically.
18:04Although, his left hand has been his best hand.
18:06But a one-handed fighter against a pressure fighter?
18:10Think he hit the head wrong.
18:11Yep.
18:12Stop.
18:12No punch.
18:12I'm here.
18:13That happens.
18:15You have a fighter that has a hard head.
18:17Absolutely.
18:17Oh, he threw that right hand just a second ago, lightly.
18:22But yeah, he's definitely favoring his left side.
18:28I don't know if Friars has enough wherewithal
18:31to understand that the hand is hurt.
18:33But that's a left hand.
18:34It doesn't matter if the right is hurt.
18:36And the referee says, the fight is over.
18:39That's it.
18:39That's it.
18:40That's it.
18:40Emiliano, El General, Fernando Vargas,
18:44when it looked like the tide was turning, said,
18:50one hand or two hands, as long as the left is there, I'm good.
18:53That's right.
18:55You know, I'm going to give it up to Friars.
18:57I mean, he took a beating.
18:59And he lasted this long.
19:01You know, what heart, what guts, what determination.
19:03You can just see the fight-and-flight system,
19:06you know, as his legs were shaking.
19:07He's saying, uh-uh, no, I don't want to go anywhere.
19:10You know, he held on as long as he can.
19:12The referee said, I've seen enough.
19:16You know, decent, I would say, good performance by Vargas.
19:20Good performance.
19:21He took his time.
19:23He placed his shots extremely well.
19:25Great combinations.
19:26The only thing that I would say is all the switching, man.
19:31Like, I get it.
19:34It looks fancy and all that.
19:35And you're doing it at this level.
19:38But you got to be careful doing it at the highest level.
19:41Because you can get time right in between those switches.
19:44You know, and you don't want to get your defense mixed up as well.
19:47Because that happens.
19:48And we saw that again earlier in the Alan Garcia fight.
19:51All right, Kim.
19:52Let's take a look at how this fight came to an end.
19:54The corner and the referee told Larry Friars,
19:57we're going to keep an eye on you.
19:58And this is a prompting stoppage.
19:59But check this out right here.
20:01Ooh, it's a nice meal right there.
20:03Go ahead.
20:04Go ahead and take that barbecue sauce right there on the ribs.
20:06And just stepped on the angle.
20:10Here he is right in front of him.
20:11Flick the jab at him.
20:12You see him in position.
20:13Dig down to the body.
20:14All right, I'm going to work the other side now.
20:16Boom.
20:20Friars missed with his shot.
20:21And he just filled the hole right there with the left hand right down the cross.
20:25Right down the middle.
20:26Boom.
20:27Nice little angle right there.
20:28Friars never saw that punch coming.
20:33Again, that's in the midst of fire.
20:37That's in the midst of firepower coming back at you.
20:41Being able to time those shots in between the punches of Friars.
20:45That's great stuff.
20:49We criticize when the corners and the referee don't do their job.
20:52This is an example of the corner working with the referee
20:55to protect the fighter from himself.
20:58Larry Friars would have got up 10 times and kept going if they allowed it.
21:02Fortunately, they didn't.
21:04Well, when it's done right, that's what you get.
21:07You know, he gets to go home with his family.
21:09Nice paycheck.
21:10He did enough.
21:11He gave enough resistance.
21:13Good job, Friars.
21:14You did your job tonight.
21:15Showcase fight for the young Emilio Vargas.
21:18He did very well tonight.
21:19Earned his 10th knockout win in 12 victories.
21:22Mark, show us what the time of the stop is.
21:24Ladies and gentlemen, here inside Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona.
21:29This belt comes to a conclusion at 1 minute, 23 seconds of round number five.
21:34For your winner by technical knockout, El General Emiliano Fernando Vargas.
21:46An impressive victory.
21:48And we'll find out if he did indeed injure his hands.
21:51It's a celebration.
21:52The Vargas clan.
21:54Fernando Amado Vargas in there.
21:57And they saw their son over there.