Philippines, 21 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


JESSIE VARGAS AIMS TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HIS TITLE WINNING 9TH ROUND KO OF SADAM ALI WHEN HE FACES MANNY PACQUIAO


PhilBoxing.com




WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas who won the title with a spectacular 9th round knockout of Sadam Ali last March 5, told the Manila Standard in an exclusive interview that he wants ?to go above and beyond that performance and put on a better performance? when he faces eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 6, Manila Time.

In a wide-ranging interview arranged by Lee Samuels of Top Rank, Vargas said that he is ?much stronger today? after seven weeks of training under Dewey Cooper whom he described as ?a phenomenal trainer.?

He told us he has ?gradually increased training everyday and everything is coming along smoothly.?

Vargas said that ever since he signed up with Top Rank, he had wanted the Pacquiao fight because Manny ?was known and was on top of the division? which will ?put me in a place of beating Manny and will prove that I am the best. Its a position I have dreamed of and plan to do that on November 5.?

While he conceded that Pacquiao is ?a great fighter? Vargas said that while his own right hand is his big punch and is known as ?the sleeper? he had ?two great hands . My left and my right are different weapons and (Manny) won?t know which will get him.?
He maintained that if he ?sees an opening, I?ll go for a knockout.?

Vargas noted that he is a world champion and ?feels positive I will retain my title and a star will be born? even as he pointed out that Pacquiao ?has had his time, now it's my time.?

He said Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning mentor Justin Fortune were right when they said Vargas won?t run but will come to fight. He said ?definitely we will come to fight? and that trainer Dewey Cooper had studied Manny?s style and ?came up with a great fight plan and I?m looking forward to a great fight.?

Vargas said he is in great shape and ?at the highest level? and promised that he was ?looking forward to this fight and the fans will enjoy it.?

Noting that Manny was known for his speed, the WBO welterweight champion told us, ?we trained on increasing speed? but conceded that Manny ?has plenty of experience.?

Vargas plans to overcome Pacquiao?s speed and power although Manny hasn?t knocked down any opponent since Miguel Cotto in November 2009.

Vargas said he will overcome Manny with his ?height, my reach, my talent and mostly my ring intelligence.?

Although he claimed he had ?dropped sparring partners that even Floyd Mayweather Jr couldn?t drop? while training for his fight against Pacquiao and Manny thought Floyd had a strong right hand, he unfortunately couldn?t remember that names off the bat.
Vargas said ?I feel and I know I am a great fighter. He (Pacquiao) had a lot of great success, now its my time.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • “The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
    , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.