Fernando Vargas Jr stepped into the ring against Callum Walsh on September 13th during the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford card in a high-stakes light middleweight showdown. Both men were undefeated going in, meaning someone’s ‘O’ had to go. Unfortunately for the Mexican fighter, it was Vargas who suffered his first professional setback on boxing’s biggest stage of the year.

The 28-year-old showed flashes of promise in the early rounds, but as the fight wore on, Callum Walsh began finding his rhythm and seizing control. After 10 hard-fought rounds, it was ‘King’ Walsh who had his hand raised, while Vargas’ unbeaten record came to an end. For Walsh, the victory not only preserved his perfect record but also strengthened his positioning as one of Golden Boy Promotions’ fastest-rising prospects. The Irish southpaw has now stretched his record to 11–0, with momentum that makes him a serious player in the junior middleweight division.

Fernando Vargas reveals injury after the Calum Walsh fight  

In an interview with the FightHype YouTube channel, Vargas said, “I just don’t wanna say nothing. I hit him a couple of times in the head in the seventh round, and I didn’t tell my dad in the corner, but I f–ed it up. So, I wasn’t able to use the left hand. And I actually went and got a little X-ray. I’m pretty sure it’s broken. But I don’t take anything away from Callum. He was a better man. And we’ll see. We’ll bounce back from this one.”  

Medical experts typically project 6–8 weeks for a hand fracture to heal, but Vargas will likely face a longer layoff when factoring in training demands. Fighters often require an additional two months before they can spar or punch at full power, meaning Vargas could realistically be out until early 2026. That timetable casts doubt on whether he can appear in a marquee slot during the next Canelo card, a platform his management has pursued.

Well, that’s definitely a significant injury for Vargas! Although it’s still unclear how long it will take him to recover, since it’s a broken hand, we can easily imagine he could be sidelined for at least 7–8 weeks. Of course, the exact timeline depends on the severity of the damage, which could extend his medical layoff even further. So it’s safe to say we won’t be seeing the Mexican fighter make a quick turnaround.

However, even after losing his undefeated record, Vargas appears content with the setback. The reason is simple—he’s been flooded with positive messages from his fans. After revealing the injury, he took time to address those supporters who have backed him from the start, assuring them that he will return stronger and promising a stellar comeback. 

The Mexican boxer sends positive messages to his fans  

Wins and losses are part of the game, but what truly matters is how an athlete handles them. For Fernando Vargas Jr., his first career defeat came with plenty of lessons. And thanks to the overwhelming support from fans after the loss to Callum Walsh, the setback has been a little easier to process. That’s why he made sure to give some love back to the people who have been with him since the very beginning.

Continuing his interview with FightHype, Vargas said, “Thank you, we love you guys, bro. Like I said, my phone just keeps blowing up. My dad told me, you’ll see who’s there for you when you lose. I’m telling you, everybody is showing love, and you know it’s definitely a blessing. So, we’ll bounce back from this, and I’m just going back to the drawing board, talk with my team, and we will be back.”

The defeat may sting, but Vargas has the advantage of a strong foundation. His father, Fernando Vargas Sr., remains a guiding presence in his corner — a two-time world champion who knows firsthand the highs and lows of boxing. Many insiders argue that if managed correctly, this setback could be the making of Vargas Jr., forcing him to refine his defense and ring IQ before stepping into deeper waters against world-level competition.

Fernando Vargas Jr. certainly has the right people in his corner to make a stellar comeback. Alongside a team of seasoned professionals, he also has the guidance of his father, Fernando Javier Vargas, the former light middleweight world champion. With that level of support, getting back on track looks more than possible. Now, all eyes will be on how his career unfolds after this first taste of defeat.

That said, what do you think Vargas’s future holds after losing at the Canelo vs Crawford event? And do you believe the broken hand could become a problem when he faces elite opponents down the road? Let us know in the comments section below.