By Jake Donovan

It says a lot of a fight when the general view is that – even beneath one of the year’s most anticipated headliners – it can still potentially steal the show.

That is the mindset heading into the super featherweight title fight between defending champ Takashi Miura and unbeaten challenger Francisco Vargas. They are tasked with not only facing each other, but priming the crowd for the middleweight championship bout between Miguel Cotto and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, with both airing live on HBO Pay-Per-View from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Miura (29-2-1, 22KOs) has been on a heck of a roll since suffering an 8th round stoppage loss at the hands of countryman Takashi Uchiyama. Their Jan. ’11 clash marked his first shot at a major title, having since snatched a belt of his own midway through his current nine-fight win streak. 

A 9th round stoppage over Gamaliel Diaz in April ’13 kicked off Miura’s title reign, with Saturday’s showdown versus Vargas marking his fifth title defense. The bout is his first in the United States, with his lone previous trek outside of Japan coming in an Aug. ’13 points win over Sergio ‘Yeyo’ Thompson. 

Interestingly, Miura has developed a reputation as Mexico’s worst nightmare, with all but one title fight coming against opposition of Mexican descent. The lone exception was his last fight, slaying former featherweight champ Billy Dib inside of three rounds this past May. 

Despite his success, he not only remains second-best in his weight class, but has yet to even establish himself as the best super featherweight from Japan named Takashi. That honor still belongs to his prior conqueror, as Uchiyama remains the de facto leader of the super featherweight division.

A win on Saturday will go a long way towards continuing to bridge that gap, but could present a tall order. Vargas (22-0-1, 16KOs) doesn’t know what it’s like to lose… although he also doesn’t know the feeling of being in a major title fight. 

Still, the 30-year old challenger from Mexico City has proven his worth, continuing his winning ways while steadily increasing his level of opposition. A shutout win over Jerry Belmontes nearly two years ago provided the first signs that Vargas is ready for the world stage.

The past couple of years have been spent on the same level – facing known names but with those fighters not necessarily at their best. A 3rd round knockout win over Juan Manuel Lopez will always look better at first glance than after further consideration, as Lopez was well beyond his prime at the time of their clash last July. 

Vargas has since posted back-to-back 8th round knockout wins over Genaro Camargo and Will Tomlinson, the latter coming in his most recent bout this past March. 

Can Miura come up big on the road, once again proving to be a nightmare for any Mexican boxer in and around the 130 lb. weight class? Will Vargas be the one to break the run of bad luck for his countryman, remaining unbeaten on his biggest stage to date?

Read on to see how the staff at krikya360.com believes the super featherweight title fight action will play out. 

krikya360.com STAFF PREDICTIONS: TAKASHI MIURA vs. FRANCISCO VARGAS

Miguel Assuncao (Vargas Dec.): Close back and forth fight, but feel Miura's inexperience fighting away could be decisive.

Ryan Bivins (Miura TKO): Miura is a beast of a caliber that Vargas has never seen before. Expect a shootout where both guys land heavily and the more battle tested Miura is able to dig deeper to pull out the victory. This fight will probably steal the show from the main event.

Ryan Burton (Vargas Dec.): I think we will get a very exciting fight that Vargas wins by split decision. Miura's run over Mexican opponents in a close fight that many feel could go either way. 

Jake Donovan (Miura late TKO): Vargas looks the part, but would feel better about his chances had he increased his level of opposition rather than marked time the past couple of years. Miura overcomes the woes of fighting on the road, picking up steaming and forcing a cuts stoppage.

Stephen "Breadman" Edwards (Miura Dec.): I like the champ to remain the champ in this one.

Michael Gibbons (Vargas Dec.): This could be the fight of the night. I like Vargas by split decision.

Chris Glover (Vargas Dec.): An intruging contest and hard to split Miura vs Vargas. The contest is the step up Vargas has been overdue, with his best win arguably being an ageing Juan Manuel Lopez. For me Miura carries a little bit too much power and has a bit too much experience for Vargas. He will also have in the back of his mind he is the away fighter in Vegas and will look to stop Vargas because of this. 

Takahiro Onaga (Miura TKO9): This one is going to be the fight of the weekend, fireworks from both men and both will be hurt. In the end though I think Miura's "bomber left" will be too much for Vargas
 
Cliff Rold (Vargas KO): Miura is a warrior and has improved since being stopped by Uchiyama. Vargas just appears a little more rough in what should steal the show.
close back and forth fight, but feel Miura's inexperience fighting away could be decisive.

Victor Salazar (Miura TKO): Miura is a bad ass. Not many know about but they'll find out Saturday

Reynaldo "Grandes Guapos" Sanchez (Miura UD): Vargas is a great fighter, but I think the experience and power of Miura will be the key for him to win this fight. 

Alexey Sukachev (Vargas KO8): It'll probably be fight of the night. Vargas is both powerful and methodical, and Miura can explode with fireworks anytime. However, you cannot be always successful fighting so many battles. This time Miura will succumb to the skills of the Mexican Olympian.

Totals:
Vargas - 6
Miura - 6

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox