Dubliner Ryan O’Rourke declared himself in tip top shape ahead of the biggest fight of his career, a scheduled eight-rounder with Alex Vargas at Madison Square Garden’s Infosys Theater this Friday. The battle of undefeated junior welterweights is on the undercard of a Most Valuable Promotions [MVP] card to be broadcast live on ESPN and the ESPN App.
Dubbed “The Silent Assassin,” the 26-year-old O’Rourke [13-0, 3 KOs] is a rangy 5-foot-11 prospect who will be making his sixth appearance States-side. In the 14-0 [ 5 KO] Vargas, who fights out of Bellport, New York, he faces a once decorated amateur who bagged two Junior Olympic titles and was a New York Golden Gloves finalist. Nick-named “El Toro” [The Bull], the compact Vargas will be giving away three inches in height to his Irish foe.
O’Rourke arrived in New York this week after a tough training camp in England.
“Preparation has been absolutely brilliant,” he told the Echo. “We've been getting some top class sparring over in the UK. We were in Anthony Crollo’s gym. Sparring some good lads there. Am as fit as ready as I'm ever gonna be, I feel like I'm really coming into my prime now, I'm 26. I feel like I'm boxing the best I've ever boxed. I feel that as long as I turn up in the best shape, the best Ryan O’Rourke beats the best Alex Vargas.
“I've been crying out for an opportunity like this for a long time now, but I actually don't think it could have come at a better time for me physically or mentally as a person. I really do believe that I'm ready to shine on the big stages and I'm ready to show that on April 17.
The two promotional stablemates are no strangers to each other, and this is one fight that was always bound to happen.
“What do we know about Alex? I’ve actually boxed on the same show with him. At least once, maybe even twice before. And we're both signed to Star Boxing and obviously we are both 140 pounders,” said O’Rourke. “We always knew this fight was gonna come about. We were looking for it, to be honest, for a bit longer than maybe people know.”
On Vargas’s skills, O’Rourke noted: “We know he’s a southpaw. He's got decent [foot] walk, he's a bit tricky. But as I said, the best Ryan O’Rourke beats the best Alex Vargas.
“I really don't believe he does anything better than myself, I think I'm bigger, faster, longer, stronger. I think I have better [foot] work, I think I can do more; I can box long, I can box short. I don't know what his game plans gonna be able but he’s gonna need a good one.”
But yeah, I'm feeling confident, man. I feel like I'm ready to do the business. And as I said, I'm ready for this big stages now. I'm pretty grateful for MVP for giving me this sort of opportunity. And pray for Joe DeGuardia for getting me this opportunity. And yeah, I'm ready to shine. I'm ready to be on the main card.”
Headlining the card is unified super featherweight world champion Alycia Baumgardner in a title defense against Bo Mi Re Shin. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster here.
