Hot: In August 2019, Vargas KO'd previously unbeaten Irish heavyweight Niall Kennedy (13-1-1, 8 KO).
Great amateur: A National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion (2000, 2001), Vargas debuted in 2004 and won his first 17 bouts before being derailed by Kevin Johnson in May 2009. Since then, he's fought several top guys including Andrzej Wawrzyk (then 22-0) and Dominic Breazeale.
Andy Ruiz: Prior to defeating Kennedy, the 37 year old Vargas was KO'd by current heavyweight champ
Andy Ruiz Jr in March 2018.
BoxRec Division Rankings: FA 74, Vargas 110.
Reach: Fa +5
Guinn: In his most recent bout, Fa arose from the canvas to decision 44 year old former top challenger Dominick Guinn (then 37-12-1), June 30.
Fightnews.com journalist David Robinett, who was at ringside, was unimpressed with Fa's performance.
"Those looking for an angle in this matchup could note that, despite 12 losses, Guinn had never previously been stopped and ask whether Fa could become the first to do it. Also of interest was whether the 29-year old Fa could be the next significant heavyweight prospect from New Zealand, like David Tua or Joseph Parker. After ten occasionally interesting rounds, the answer to both of these questions was no," Robinett wrote on Fightnews.com.
No. 7: Fa enters ranked seventh in the division by the WBO.