Once-beaten junior lightweight Will Tomlinson plans to have “a coming out fight” opposite unbeaten Francisco Vargas on March 12 at the e Freeman Colesium in San Antonio.

A 28 year old from Australia, Tomlinson (23-1-1, 13 knockouts) will fight Vargas on a card promoted by Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya.

“I really believe that this is going to be a coming out fight for me here in the U.S. I’m going to be able to introduce to the U.S. and Latino boxing fans who ‘Wild Will’ is and what he’s about and what he’s capable of doing. I believe that Vargas is a perfect fight for me. He’s a strong, aggressive in-your-face fighter, and these are the types of guys that I love to fight, and that I love to be in the ring with,” said Tomlinson.

“Because everyone knows that they’re there to fight and they’re there to give fans what they want to see, and that’s a fight. So, on March 12, I’m going to be ready to give the fans what they want to see and to be in a helluva fight and get the win and to become champion…I am aware of Francisco and the type of fighter that he is and how he’s a big asset to the Mexican boxing scene, and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to fight him.”

Rated No. 7 at 130 pounds by THE RING, Vargas (21-0-1, 15 KOs) was last in the ring for an eighth-round stoppage of Genaro Camargo that occurred eight days prior to his 30th birthday, which was on Christmas.

In July, Vargas scored a third-round knockout over former two-division titleholder Juan Manuel Lopez which followed unanimous decision wins over Jerry Belmontes and Abner Cotto in December 2013 and March 2014.

“I’ve been watching Francisco Vargas for a few years now, and that’s way before the JuanMa Lopez fight,” said Tomlinson of a bout during which Vargas dropped in the final round. “I’ve always looked at him as a potential opponent for the future.”

Tomlinson was last in action for an eighth round technical knockout of Miguel Zamudio in December, representing his second straight win since falling by unanimous decision to Belmontes last March.

Tomlinson has an answer to critics who may discount his chances s against Vargas, given their mutual opponent, Belmontes, and their different results against him.

“I’m sure that everybody has heard that styles make fights, and that there is no better case than the fight with Belmontes. I just didn’t fire on the night. I simply just didn’t let my hands go. It was just one day out of a million that I fought the way that I did, and that’s not going to happen on March 12…I’m going to get in there, and as I said, styles make fights. Vargas is going to be there for me to fight, and he’s going to be there to hit and I’m going to also be there to hit as well,” said Tomlinson.

“So this is going to be a great fight for the fans, because I can guarantee that it’s going to be action-packed. I can’t see how it can’t be an action-packed fight. I’m not going to take a backward step, and Vargas isn’t going to take a backward step. It’s going to be a really, really good fight to watch, and, I believe, one where I’m going just going to be a little bit better than Vargas in all areas. A little bit faster, with a little bit better movement, and I’m going to hit a little bit harder. I believe that I’ll break away toward the later rounds in the fight and do enough to get the win.”

Tomlinson’s confidence going into the fight is born, in part, due to a sparring session that occurred between the two several years ago.

“I’m not sure if Francisco remembers this, but me and Francisco have actually sparred before. We sparred in 2007 in preparation for the amateur world championships in Chicago. I know that it’s a long time ago, but I remember it quite clearly…I can’t say that it was crystal clear. That was eight years ago. But I remember being very comfortable in the spar, let’s put it that way. I remember being able to move around and see all of his punches coming and to counter off of all of his punches,” said Tomlinson.

“I’m not saying that it’s going to be any indication on how the fight’s going to go on March 12, because, as I said, that was seven or eight years ago, and he’s improved a lot and evolved a lot, and, also, so have I. It all comes down to who is going to be prepared the best and who is going to be ready and who is going to be better. I really do want these types of fights and these types of wins, and I’ve dedicated my whole life to come here to America and to put it all on the line. I’m hell-bent on making it happen and making it work for me. This is a big occasion in making that happen.”

Note: Quotes from a conference call