Jessie Vargas Returns Against Aaron Herrera Dec 15th

Welterweight contender Jessie Vargas finally has a date to the return to the ring.

The former world titleholder in two weight divisions will square off against Aaron Herrera of Mexico on Dec. 15 at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California. The 10 round bout will headline a three-bout FS1 telecast (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).

Vargas (27-2, 10 knockouts) has not fought since Nov. 5 of last year, when he lost a 12 round unanimous decision to Manny Pacquiao.

After failing to re-sign a promotional contract with Top Rank, who has promoted him for five years through this past July, Vargas decided to fight under the Premier Boxing Champions banner.

The Las Vegas resident has been mentioned in the past as possible opponents for the likes of world titleholders Keith Thurman and Errol Spence. A string of victories by Vargas could make that happen, should Thurman and Spence maintain their titles.

Vargas did win a belt at 147 pounds. The 28-year-old Vargas won the vacant WBO title with a ninth round knockout over Sadam Ali in March of last year.

Herrera (33-7-1, 22 KOs) stopped Israel Toala in round four of his last bout on July 8. He fought Brandon Rios, also at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster on June 11, losing by knockout in the seventh round.

In junior welterweight action, hard-hitting John Molina (29-7, 23 KOs) will face Ivan Redkach (20-3-1, 16 KOs).

Both fighters are coming off a loss and cannot afford another setback. Molina, who resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Covina, has not fought since his eighth round knockout loss to Terence Crawford on Dec. 10. Redkach, who also resides in the Los Angeles area, lost a 10 round split decision to Argenis Mendez on May 2.

Rounding out the telecast will be a 10 round bout between welterweight contender Diego Chavez (26-2-1, 22 KOs) and Jamal James.

Chavez, who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is ranked number five by the WBC and WBA. James (21-1, 9 KOs) is coming off a 10 round unanimous decision over former contender Ionut 'Jo Jo' Dan Ion.

Francisco A. Salazar has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV, Boxingscene.com, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing