FURIOUS VARGAS LASHES BACK AT DE LA HOYA ANGRY FIGHTER CALLS RIVAL `A COWARD' FOR RUNNING.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer

Fernando Vargas, livid over comments made by hated rival Oscar De La Hoya last week, fired back with the help of a well-known boxing pundit: Shakespeare.

De La Hoya, of East L.A., said last week that he wouldn't fight Vargas because the Oxnard resident was knocked out by Felix Trinidad and must rebuild his reputation as a worthy contender.

Vargas, his voice rising as he spoke, pointed out that De La Hoya ran for 12 rounds in his loss to Trinidad in 1999 but Vargas stood toe to toe with one of the sport's biggest punchers in December.

Which of the two, Vargas asks, came out ahead?

``A coward dies a thousand deaths,'' said Vargas, slightly altering Shakespeare's dialogue in ``Julius Caesar,'' ``a real man dies once. He's a coward. He's going to have to live with that (fight) the rest of his life.

``Every time someone mentions it to him, as long as he lives, he's going to die a little bit more.''

Vargas was just getting started.

The Oxnard resident, who is negotiating to fight tough Wilfredo Rivera on April 28, went on to question De La Hoya's credentials and the Mexican fans' perception of him.

De La Hoya was criticized much of his career for taking easy fights.

``If you think about it, De La Hoya has had a history of fighting faded fighters,'' Vargas said. ``Once he started fighting real fighters is when he lost. Now, he says he doesn't want to fight Shane Mosley (who beat De La Hoya in June) right away.

``If he had half the (guts) I have, he'd be begging to fight Mosley again like I'm begging to fight Trinidad again.''

And, even if he lost stature in De La Hoya's eyes, Vargas said he gained respect from those whom both fighters hold closest to their hearts: Mexicans.

To his dismay, De La Hoya has failed to receive validation from fans who seem to value courage over boxing ability and a flashy style.

``The Mexicans hug me wherever I go,'' Vargas said. ``They tell me, 'You represented us for exactly what we are, a true warrior.' Of course, I feel bad I lost, but the reaction of the Mexican people makes me feel good.''

So, does Vargas believe De La Hoya will ultimately meet him in the ring in what would be one the sport's biggest possible matchups?

``He can say whatever he wants to,'' Vargas said. ``He knows how big this fight would be, he knows he needs me if he wants to make all these millions. And he knows how to reach me.

``I don't know, though. My gut feeling? He's too much of a coward.''

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2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) VARGAS

(2 -- color) DE LA HOYA