Antonio Vargas first American male to win Pan Am Games gold since 2011

Antonio Vargas, from Kissimmee, Fla., defeated Cuban Olympian and 2011 Pan Am Games silver medalist Yosbany Veitia by unanimous decision to take flyweight gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto Saturday night..

The victory makes the 18-year-old Vargas the first American male to win Pan American Games gold since Karl Dargan in 2011.

Later Saturday night, Marlen Esparza lost to Canada's Mandy Bujold 2-1 in the women's flyweight finals, leaving Toronto with a silver medal. The only two Americans to take home gold were Vargas and Claressa Shields, who won gold in the women's middleweight division with a victory Friday against Yenebier Guillen of the Dominican Republic.

MORE: Shields first American female boxer to win Pan Am gold

"I dictated the pace in the first round and got his respect," Vargas said. "I worked hard for this victory, that's what I was praying for, to be victorious. . . . I was studying Cuba and the WSB and prepared just for (Veitia)."

Vargas said he threw "punches in bunches" to break Veitia's rhythm. "The plan was to take his left side away," Vargas said. "This is a confidence booster and will help me evolve as a better boxer."

Vargas said he's looking forward to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"Another gold medal, baby. That's my goal," he said.