MILWAUKEE — Rolando “Nano” Vargas has been a boxer for as long as he can remember. He started in the living room — with gloves up to his elbows — as his kneeling father taught him how to throw a punch. Now 23, Vargas is in the gym three times a day preparing for the fight he hopes kicks off a breakout year.
“We’ll see where 2023 takes me,” he said after removing his gloves following a recent training session. “Hopefully, I’ll start fighting bigger names, and eventually I’ll get an opportunity for a world title.”
The first opportunity of 2023 will be in his hometown. Saturday’s “Boxers Make Boxing 2” will take place inside Gather at Deer District, an event space across the plaza from Fiserv Forum. Vargas, 8-1 with 7 knockouts as a professional boxer, will compete in the main event in the 140-pound super lightweight division.
“I try to keep my eye on the prize,” Vargas said. “It’s a lot of pressure. A lot of family and friends are coming, so I like to relax and remind myself who I do this for.”
Vargas won five national titles during an illustrious amateur career. At age 19, he decided to chase his dreams and turn pro. Milwaukee, however, is far from the first city that comes to mind for pro boxing. Whether it’s Las Vegas, Texas or Florida, Vargas said he knows he’ll likely be training elsewhere as his career progresses. But the hard-hitter said he will always represent the 414.
“I do this for me and my family,” Vargas said. “It was my dad’s dream to become a world champion. He sacrificed that to give us a better life here in the United States.”
His father, also Rolando, was a pro boxer in Mexico before emigrating to the U.S. Nano said he packs his father’s passion in every punch.
“Through me, we’re gonna live our dream,” he said. “I’m gonna make it. I’m gonna be a world champion one day.”
This championship dream started in Mexico before Nano was born. He said he hopes to move one step closer Saturday night in his hometown.
“Boxers Make Boxing 2” is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Deer District.