Next fight of Luis Collazo is not determined yet.
Wednesday in Plant City, Florida Luis Collazo (39-9, 20 KOs) lost to Angel Ruiz Astorga (18-2-1, 13 KOs) and decided to finally hang up his gloves. Three days before his 42nd birthday, the former world welterweight champion fought for the last almost two years in the light middleweight division and lost ahead of schedule in the sixth round after a blow to the torso. Prior to that, in the third round, Collazo hit the floor twice.
Luis Collazo (39-7, 20 KOs) performed in New York for the 23rd time and prolonged an incredible series of victories in this city. This time, the former world welterweight champion defeated Samuel Vargas (30-5-2, 14 KOs). The 38-year-old veteran, despite the cut on his right eyebrow, was able to control his opponent by winning a difficult technical match. The judges gave the victory to Collazo by split decision 96-94, 98-92 and 94-96.
Samuel Vargas has had a lot of “pinch me” moments in his boxing career. From fighting on national television, to facing world champions, bringing a boxing show to his native Colombia, and headlining arena shows in his hometown of Toronto.
But on March 17, Vargas may have the biggest opportunity of his career, as he faces Luis Collazo in a 10-round welterweight bout at the Hulu Theatre inside the legendary Madison Square Garden.
The bout will be a co-feature on an ESPN card headlined by Irish superstar Michael Conlan, fittingly, on St. Patrick’s Day.
“For a kid who came from Colombia with nothing, trying to make a name for himself and a better life for his family, fighting at Madison Square Garden feels like a dream come true,” Vargas said. “I’ve fought on some of the biggest stages in the world, but this is where every fighter envisions themselves fighting. It’s an opportunity I won’t let go to waste.”
Collazo had recently been in talks as a potential opponent for welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman. Vargas hopes that a victory over Collazo could potentially put him in line for a world title opportunity, something that has eluded him despite his deep resume of opponents.
Vargas has done battle with some of the sport’s and division’s very best, including Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia, Amir Khan, Ali Funeka and more. However, none were world title fights, either because the bouts were between title stints, or the belt wasn’t on the line.
“A win over Luis Collazo would force the hand of the welterweight division,” said Vargas’ promoter Lee Baxter. “It would be the biggest win of Sammy’s career, and would establish that he belongs in the positions he’s been put in throughout his career. Remember, he was maybe one inch and a few seconds away from knocking out Amir Khan. On March 17, he won’t let anything slip away.”
Collazo (38-7, 20 KOs) has been a pro for 19 years, a career which has included a run as welterweight champion, and a who’s who resume of fighters he’s shared the ring with, including: “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan, Andre Berto, Keith Thurman, and Victor Ortiz. Collazo is coming off two major upset victories, a win over Bryant Perrella and a sixth-round knockout of top prospect Sammy Vasquez
“Collazo is someone I have a lot of respect for. We have a lot in common, we’ve both never ducked anybody, we’ve both improved and learned on the job as the years have gone on, and we’re always in exciting fights. But on March 17, all that goes out the window, and I’m going to prove that my time has finally come.”
With a victory, opportunities for Vargas could be abundant, says Baxter.
"Sammy isn't someone that's tied to a network right now, but he's one step away from being a viable option to face any welterweight titleholder, not just Keith Thurman, but Terence Crawford, especially considering Sammy almost knocked out the man he's about to fight. A win on March 17 could give us a lot of leverage," said Baxter.
In the main event on Thursday from the Horseshoe in Tunica, Mississippi, southpaw Sammy Vasquez (21-2, 15 KOs) looked to bounce back from his first defeat by facing Luis Collazo, (37-7, 20 KOs), himself coming off a layoff after his loss to Keith Thurman.
Luis Collazo's record currently stands at 38 wins, 7 loses and 0 draw.
Luis Collazo's last fight took place against Samuel Vargas on March 17, 2019, in New York, USA. He won by SD in the 10 round. That fight was 12 days ago.
Collazo's last 3 fights have come over a period of 3 years, 8 months and 6 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 2 months and 22 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 23 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 7 rounds on average.
Collazo was born in USA.
The Luis Collazo is currently 42 years old. He was born on April 22, 1981, so he will turn 43 in 24 days.
Luis Collazo made his professional debut in May 2000, so he has been a pro for 23 years.
Collazo is 5' 8" (5 Foot and 8 inch) which is 175 cm (1 meter and 75 centimeters).
His reach is 72 inches (72") which is 183 cm (1 meter and 83 centimeters).
Collazo fights from a southpaw, which means he favours his left hand as his power hand when fighting.
Luis Collazo doesn't currently have a fight scheduled