REPUTATION ON THE ROPES LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM, VARGAS IS LA COLONIA.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer

OXNARD - The streets of the neighborhood called La Colonia are reasonably clean, the yards of the small, detached homes tidy. The place certainly isn't falling apart, as one might expect in light of the term Fernando Vargas used to describe the area surrounding La Colonia Gym: ``The 'hood.''

However, it's clear the people here live differently than those in, say, east Ventura County.

They can't afford frills. For instance, chain-link fences and dirt surround many of their houses rather than the well-groomed, expensive lawns in some Camarillo or Newbury Park neighborhoods.

And the bars on many of their windows indicate they plan to hold onto the little they have. Crime - a lot of it violent - is simply part of life in what seems to be a safe, friendly neighborhood if one didn't know better.

It's here that Vargas, the junior middleweight boxing champion who fights Felix Trinidad on Saturday in Las Vegas, spent most of his childhood and he continues to nurture a bond with the people in the area. He proudly wears the words ``La Colonia'' on his gym trunks when he fights.

And, make no mistake, the people here have taken notice: Young and old are well aware that one of their own has made it big. Some don't like him - for a variety of reasons - but the majority seem to take pride in him and how his success reflects on the community.

``He means a lot to me,'' said Oscar Barron, a wide-eyed 14-year-old taking part in a youth boxing program at the the gym. ``It shows that I can do the same thing. He came from this neighborhood, I come from this neighborhood.

``It shows me I can succeed in life.''

Vargas will tell you success doesn't come without criticism. He has more than his share of detractors. Some reject him for innocuous reasons. One woman pulled Oscar De La Hoya's new music CD out of her purse and declared, ``This is why I don't like Fernando Vargas.'' However, others' dislike for him runs deeper.

Vargas was well acquainted with trouble growing up. Mostly fights - countless fights. And he's still struggling to control his angry, sometimes violent nature. He admits it. He has a Dec. 13 settlement-hearing date on charges he and four others beat up a Santa Barbara man last summer.

The fact he's perceived as arrogant by some only fuels his negative image in their eyes.

``I don't like him. I never will,'' said another woman, a look of distaste on her face.

A policeman who stopped his patrol car in front of the gym to find out what a few strangers were up to was asked what he thought about Vargas.

He paused, smiled slightly and said simply, ``No comment.''

Then there's city councilman Bedford Pinkard, with whom Vargas is engaged in something of a feud. Pinkard, who helped found the gym in which Vargas spent the bulk of his childhood, says Vargas has donated only ``$200 or $300'' for improvements and criticizes him for losing touch with his roots.

``I would think that someone who has been successful would give back to the community from whence he came. Not just Fernando - anyone, myself included,'' Pinkard said.

Vargas, fed up with such accusations, counters that he gives plenty back. His co-manager Rolando Arellano said the fighter has pumped ``tens of thousands of dollars into the community'' and has played a key role in many successful fund-raisers in and out of the area.

``I just don't call (the media) when I'm there,'' he said. ``That's not why I do it. I don't want to make a spectacle out of it. . . . I give gifts on Christmas to kids who may never have received a gift because I like seeing their faces. It brings tears to my eyes . . . because I remember what it was like not having anything.

``It's the best feeling in the world.''

This is the Vargas many others see: someone bringing gifts to the community, both literally and figuratively.

They don't condone his violent behavior but are more forgiving. Several chalk it up to youth - Vargas is 22 - and believe he'll continue to mature.

Manuel Lopez, Oxnard's mayor the past eight years, has known Vargas since he was a child and likes him.

``It doesn't help him,'' Lopez said of the assault charges and other indiscretions. ``I think growing up can be a difficult process for anyone, though. He's 22. He's just out of his teens. . . . And the fact he's suddenly making a lot of money makes it even more difficult. I don't condone (the behavior), but I understand.

``The fact he's had the discipline, the dedication to succeed makes him a good role model. It really does.''

Three acquaintances of Vargas - Carlos Loera, Adrian Razo and Ricky Scott - were at the gym at about 2 p.m. one day, a few hours before the kids typically roll in. Ardently loyal, they alternately trumpeted his value to the community and defended him against his detractors.

They paint a picture of a vibrant young man who has brought some light to a sometimes dark environment, of a great fighter from an area not normally associated with the word ``great,'' of a successful Mexican-American born of a proud people.

``It's easy to see the negative around here,'' said Razo, who maintains the gym. ``He brings some positive, something to be proud of. . . . And a big part of it is that he lets you know where he's from.

``He doesn't have to wear `La Colonia' on his trunks. How do you think it makes us feel when we see that on TV? It makes us feel good - real good.''

The criticism?

Vargas' tough-guy behavior isn't unique here. Some see it as a necessity: Either you're tough or you don't survive. That's not to say his worst behavior is acceptable, his friends agree. He has taken things too far at times. However, they say, it's all part of life here. One hard lesson after another.

Again, some aren't so generous. To them, Vargas has fouled up once too often.

Just as they dismiss Vargas, though, Scott, his friend, dismisses them. The thrust of their disdain, Scott believes, is jealousy.

``Yeah, some people don't like Fernando,'' he said. ``I think most of those people are the ones who grew up with him and watched him come up so fast. Not everyone is successful like that.''

And, finally, there are the kids.

Vargas isn't just a name or a figure on television to the aspiring fighters at La Colonia. He makes regular visits to the gym, ``to show I'm real, that a real person can live in this neighborhood and have a good life,'' Vargas said.

He seems to have connected with the boys and girls there.

Mention his name and their eyes light up. Their image of him is based solely on the fact he's a star athlete and the sensitive manner with which he interacts with them. What they see is good.

``He's a really nice guy,'' said Gerardo Garcia, 10.

And even those who've never stepped foot in a boxing ring have been touched by him.

Margarito Ledesma, 9, was one of many last Christmas who received a gift from Vargas. He smiles when he thinks of it. No one is going to tell him that Vargas isn't a positive element in this neighborhood.

Perhaps this child best summarized the biggest gift Vargas gives the community:

``When he fights, he fights for us.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Junior middleweight boxing champion Fernando Vargas of Oxnard, with his son, Fernando Jr., has received some criticism for not giving back to his community. Others commend his charitable efforts which include donating toys to needy children at Christmas.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

(2) Above, Jesse Mukul, 12, works the bag at Oxnard's La Colonia Gym, which also produced Fernando Vargas.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(3) Carlos Mardigal stands in the Oxnard neighborhood in which Fernando Vargas spent much of his time growing up.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer