Looking for action? Francisco Vargas vs. 'The Scorpion' on HBO a great place to start

It's the weekend before Super Bowl LI, and you're trying to figure out what to do on a mid-winter Saturday night. But you don't want to leave the couch. So you grab the chips and salsa and check out the TV listings.

The Pro Bowl? Nah, not interested, and besides it's not on till late Sunday afternoon, when you still won't be interested. Why? Because you want action - real, live action. That leaves the NBA out. What about golf, tennis, college hoops? Uh-uh.

Then you notice a familiar name nestled in the listings under boxing: Vargas. Francisco Vargas? Suddenly it dawns on you: Fight of the year 2016. And you investigate further: Fight of the Year 2015. Two consecutive fights of the year? Unheard of.

Could that be right? Absolutely, yes. On HBO. Saturday. 10 p.m. ET. Ah, yes, now you remember. Vargas - nasty gashes, badly swollen eyes, blood, guts, grit and determination beyond comprehension. Never say die.

Your search is over. Francisco Vargas, "El Bandido," 23-0-2, 17 KOs, vs. Miguel Berchelt, "El Alacran" (The Scorpion). Big knockout guy, 30-1 with 27 KOs, and only 25 years old. Twelve rounds of guaranteed action, bell to bell. Mexico vs. Mexico. For Vargas' WBC super featherweight title belt.

Is this heaven? No, it's Indio, California, the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino.

As if. As if Vargas, the Pride of Mexico City, needed another brutal fight. First there was Takashi Miura, Nov. 21, 2015, stealing the show from Cotto-Canelo. Vargas, down in round 4, all but finished, but not quite, gets up, gets pummeled for three more rounds, but in the ninth, turns the table, then turns out the light on Miura for a stunning, and most unlikely knockout. Fight of the Year, hands down.

Fast forward to June 4, 2016. The boxing world is reeling from the death of Muhammad Ali the night before. Boxing needs a great fight, and gets it when Vargas and Orlando Salido, two of the greatest blood and guts warriors in the sport, face off. Toe-to-toe for 12 rounds and 2,123 punches thrown, a CompuBox record 1,593 of those power shots. Fight of the Year 2016 with little argument.

Orlando Salido, left, and WBC Super Featherweight champion Francisco Vargas fight to a 12-round draw by Chris Farina

And in the co-feature? Who else but Takashi Miura, the near vanquisher of Vargas, fighting veteran Miguel Roman (56-11), with a rematch in their future if Vargas and Miura prevail.

"I have so much fun being in these types of fights - not just me as a fighter, but also knowing that I'm giving a good fight for the fans," Vargas told USA TODAY Sports by phone last week through a translator. "People like to watch my fights and that makes me proud of the fights I've been in. That's what I keep pushing for."

In boxing-crazy Mexico, Vargas is a bona fide star. Maybe not Canelo-Chavez-sized, but next level for sure.

"When I go to the mall, people stop me and ask for my photo," Vargas said. "They value who I am as a fighter and value the fights I bring."

Vargas hasn't fought since his slugfest with Salido, time off he has earned, and then some.

"After a much needed rest, I'm ready to give the fans what they want to see," Vargas said. "Berchelt knows that this is his opportunity to get my title, and he will be hungry inside the ring and will wage war. This title cost me a lot to win, and I am not going to let it go easily. I'm taking my belt back with me."

As for a possible rematch with Miura, Vargas said he will fight anyone. "And I would gladly take a rematch with Miura. My goal is to fight bigger fighters."

Vargas is not looking past "The Scorpion" however. "I understand it's going to be a tough fight. And also Berchelt is taller than me," he said. "So I will be very wary about this fight. We've been working on several tactics and we've been training hard on his specific style."

Golden Boy President Eric Gomez said he was worried about making the fight with Berchelt because of the Mexican's toughness and punching ability.

"But I know that these are the type of fights that we want and need. The fights that are 50-50, where anyone can win. This is going to be a great fight. I'm still a little worried though," he said. "We know that the fans love knockouts, and these four guys have 110 KOs among them. I think that speaks for itself and gives you a good idea of what Saturday night is going to be like."

(Photo of, from left, Takashi Miura, Francisco Vargas, Miguel Berchelt and Miguel Roman, by Golden Boy Promotions)