Newly crowned WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas is still hoping to secure a showdown with WBA champion Leo Santa Cruz.

Earlier this month, Vargas captured the WBC title with a twelve round decision win over Mark Magsayo.

After that win, Vargas called for a showdown with Santa Cruz.

He believes the fight would be instant fireworks with their styles.

"It's going to be a spectacular, and a fight between two Mexicans which the fans really desire. Leo is a champion fighter with some very solid fights and great successes. My undefeated record also speaks for itself, so it´ll between two great champions… and for Mexican pride," Vargas said.

“Leo is a strong, courageous fighter who throws a high volume of punches and likes to fight coming forward and is technically sound. He´s quite tall, likes to throw punches from long range and I think it will be a fascinating fight. I feel stronger at featherweight. Every bit of weight is important as even a hundred grams can be a significant factor in a boxing match.  The strategic plan for my extra weight and diet to achieve it was a little different. It worked well and I was at the proper weight one week before the fight.”

On Tuesday, the WBA threw some water on that bout - by denying Santa Cruz's request for a special permit to face Vargas in a unification.

The sanctioning body gave Santa Cruz 24-hours to agree to a mandatory fight with the WBA's "regular" champion at the weight, Leigh Wood. Santa Cruz has not made a mandatory defense of the WBA belt since 2018.

Santa Cruz is now left with two choices - defend the title against Wood or drop the belt and face Vargas for the WBC title.