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Francisco Vargas to defend WBC title against Miguel Berchelt, Jan. 28

HBO Boxing After Dark will kick off their 2017 campaign with the Vargas-Berchelt card.

Francisco Vargas v Orlando Salido Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Wil Esco is an assistant editor of Bad Left Hook and has been covering boxing for SB Nation since 2014.

Francisco Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) is now set to defend his WBC super featherweight title against Miguel Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) on Jan. 28 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The fight will headline HBO’s 2017 season premiere of Boxing After Dark which will also feature Takashi Miura (30-3-2, 23 KOs) taking on Miguel Roman (56-11, 43 KOs). Both bouts should be fan-friendly action fights considering the combatants.

"Boxing fans know what to expect every time I step in to the ring - and that is a war," Vargas said. "I am aware of my opponent's knockout power, but he's never faced a true world champion, and I am confident I will come out on top."

Vargas, 31, is most recently coming off a majority decision draw against Orlando Salido this past June. And who, of course, can forget his 2015 Fight of the Year against Takashi Miura (who will also make an appearance on the card).

Miura, 32, who was slated to take on Orlando Salido before he had to pull out due to injury, will now be facing Miguel Roman in his place. Miura is most recently coming off a KO win over Jimmy Borbon in May - his first fight since his barn-burner with Vargas.

"I am excited to return to the United States and fight in such an exciting bout with Mickey Roman," Miura said. "I was very disappointed when I lost to Vargas, but I have rededicated myself and am excited to begin my journey towards winning back my title."

What say you, fans? How much do you love this double-header?

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