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Local hero and Suffolk County’s finest, Alex “El Toro” Vargas, is lacing up his gloves and stepping back into the ring for the first time since joining the SCPD’s 185th recruitment class.
This undefeated combatant with a 12-0 record is set to face his most formidable opponent yet, the experienced Mauro “El Rayo” Godoy, who has 37 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with 18 KOs under his belt in an 8-round welterweight showdown.
Taking time off from boxing to serve and protect his community, Vargas graduated from the police academy last August and fell in love with the job. His last fight in the ring was in November of 2021.
His favorite part of the gig? Connecting with people from all walks of life and being there to lend a helping hand. But the hard-hitting officer admits that the job isn’t easy and has seen his fair share of tough situations.
“You’re being called to help all of these people on what may be the worst days of their lives and being able to help them in any way you can is a feeling like no other,” he told Greater Long Island.
Still, despite juggling the challenges of being a full-time cop and a pro boxer, Vargas has been cheered on by his fellow officers, who are eager to show up and support him in the ring. It’s an honor for Vargas to represent the force, and he’s grateful for their encouragement.
“The [SCPD] has been extremely supportive of me being a boxer,” he said. “I already have a lot of people that I work with asking about the fight and wanting to come to support me.”
But training for his big comeback hasn’t been a cakewalk. Balancing two demanding jobs and sticking to a strict diet has been grueling, but the scrappy fighter is ready to throw down.
“Boxing was my full-time job, but now having to plan when to train and spar whether before or after work and having to follow a strict diet while working is difficult and extremely tiring,” Vargas said. “But it’s all a tough task that I knew was going to come with it and I’m ready for it.”
This Saturday at The Paramount in Huntington, Vargas will be the main event for Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights 44,” and fans of boxing and law enforcement alike are encouraged to show up and support the man who puts his life on the line both in and out of the ring.
Vargas quickly became an instant fan-favorite on Long Island, fighting eight of his fights at The Paramount in Huntington. In his debut, he produced the “loudest crowd ever” for the venue.
Top: File photo of Alex Vargas fighting at a previous bout at The Paramount in Huntington. (Credit: Nicholas Esposito)
