Emiliano Vargas appreciates the patient approach promoter Top Rank Inc. has taken to methodically molding him into a 140-pound contender. The youngest of Fernando Vargas’ three sons is just as ambitious as his father was, however, when “El Feroz” became IBF junior middleweight champion just five days after his 21st birthday by stopping “Yory Boy” Campas in December 1998.

Las Vegas’ Vargas (17-0, 14 KOs) is a 9-1 favorite, according to DraftKings, to beat Bryce Mills (22-1, 9 KOs) on the Xander Zayas-Jaron Ennis undercard Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Vargas, 22, views this DAZN co-feature as his chance to secure at least a championship elimination match next.

“I think I’m but one or two fights away,” Vargas told The Ring about fighting for a title. “Obviously, we have to take care of business with Bryce Mills come June 27th. I know if I don’t get past him, I don’t get to those world title shots, so my focus is completely on him.

“But at the same time, I feel like I live more in the future than I do in the present, so I just know whoever they put in front of me I’m gonna have to crush his dreams to make mine a reality. And along that way, I think after this fight maybe we’ll get a title eliminator. And then we can go for a world title after that next one.”

Vargas is the WBO’s No. 2 contender for Shakur Stevenson’s title. The developing, confident contender is also ranked No. 12 by the WBA, No. 13 by the IBF and No. 14 by the WBC.

Mills, meanwhile, has won 16 straight fights since Ryan Pino (then 8-7-2) upset the former kickboxer by split decision in a six-rounder that took place in October 2021.

“Bryce Mills has been calling out my name for sure,” Vargas said. “I know this is a huge opportunity for him. I feel like the beautiful thing is I’m gonna get the best version of Bryce Mills and it’s gonna bring the best version of myself out. That’s the only way I’ve been thinking. Each and every fighter that steps in the ring with me, I’m getting their absolute, very best. My father tells me this all the time, ‘Look at the guys you step in there with and their next fight — they probably lose that fight or whatever the case may be, because they gave their utmost best and it brings a different side out of you.’

“We’ve been working a lot on my boxing ability and I have a lot to show come June 27th. Bryce Mills is a strong, tough fighter, but I’m a smart, intelligent fighter and I’ll do whatever is necessary to win. … He has a puncher’s chance, but every fighter has a puncher’s chance. I'm a be boxing beautiful and show the world that I have a lot in my tool bag.”

The 10-round bout between Vargas and Mills, of Liverpool, New York, will be the final fight DAZN streams worldwide before Philadelphia’s Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) challenges Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), of Sunrise, Florida, for his WBA and WBO 154-pound crowns.

Subscribers to DAZN’s Ultimate plan, which costs $49.99 monthly in the United States and £24.99 in the United Kingdom, can view the Zayas-Ennis card for no additional charge. The main portion of the show, scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET and 1 a.m. BST, is also available via DAZN Pay-Per-View to non-subscribers ($74.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK).