Vargas (17-0, 14 KOs), The Ring's 2025 Prospect of the Year, believes the former unified lightweight champion Kambosos (22-4, 10 KOs) serves as a perfect partner to further prove himself.

“It's definitely the fight that I would love to make,” Vargas told The Ring. “I'll be ready to go with one call. I would absolutely love it, and the fans have loved it too as soon as it hit social media. I know there are some things in the way, but hopefully we can get it done. I've vowed for my next fight to be against a former world champion, and want to uphold that with Kambosos or another former 140-pound world champion.

“I have the utmost respect for Kambosos, his family and his team. I believe his best days are still here. He's an exceptional fighter, and this is a great test for the world to see that I belong on the championship level. Regardless of his previous fights, he's still that ferocious killer. A champion is distinguished by how they overcome adversity and if he beats a young prospect like me, he goes to another place. It's a great fight for both of us.”

Kambosos, a 32-year-old Greek-Australian, is 2-4 ever since scoring a career-best decision win against Teofimo Lopez. Consecutive decision defeats by Devin Haney followed in 2022, and Kambosos was stopped in a pair of title shots against Vasiliy Lomachenko in May 2024 and against Richardson Hitchins last June.

Vargas has first-hand experience dealing with Kambosos. Vargas, who’s an orthodox fighter, served as a southpaw sparring partner for Kambosos as he prepared for a majority decision win against Maxi Hughes in July 2023.

“It was definitely eight rounds of great work and a great learning experience for myself to gauge where I am at,” said Vargas. “But I am a fighter and competitor, and know that I can beat Kambosos, dominate at that level with the trajectory that I'm on. I just want to keep on putting the pedal to the metal to see where I can go.”

Vargas passed another test in February by stopping gritty Argentinian Agustin Quintana in nine rounds.

“My last fight really prepared me for the later rounds,” said Vargas. “I was getting better as the fight went on and was able to break down Quintana. I'm meant to be a 12-round fighter moving forward. I'm all about it, want to gain experience and grow.”

When Hitchins caught wind that Vargas was eyeing a clash against Kambosos, the IBF junior welterweight champion shared his feedback on social media.

“Study my fight with him and take notes. I served him up already. He’s not the same, but good luck, though, champ,” said Hitchins.

Vargas eventually wants to get in position to face Hitchins and titleholders Shakur Stevenson (The Ring, WBO) and Dalton Smith (WBC).

“I plan to challenge for a world title by the end of the year. I'm hungry and will be ready,” Vargas added. “I would love to fight Hitchins. I realize Hitchins and the rest of the 140-pound champions want to make big fights, and they may not be thinking about me as the landscape changes. But I know that my name carries weight and I am climbing to be in the right position.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.