Two-division world champion and current WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs), of Las Vegas will have the biggest fight of his career when he takes on eight-division world champion and Philippines Senator Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas live on Pay Per View. We spoke to Vargas as he talked to us about his upcoming fight with Pacquiao and more.
?I know that I?m the underdog in this fight but what?s changed?? Jessie Vargas told Fightnews.com ?Come Nov 5th I will prove you wrong. You will be surprised by my performance.?
This was the second camp for Vargas under trainer Dewey Cooper as Vargas has been guided by various trainers in the past which include Oscar De La Hoya?s first trainer Robert Alcazar, former world champions Roger Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr., and Erik Morales.
?Not only am I working hard but working smart. I have a good team that is guiding me the right way working on the strategy to perfection just like the last fight,? Vargas said.
It looks like Vargas finally found the right one. In his first fight under the guidance of Cooper, Vargas scored an impressive knockout over previously undefeated 2008 U.S. Olympian Sadam Ali in his last fight.
?The Sadam Ali fight is my best performance to date and November 5th will be my best performance. You will enjoy it,? Vargas said.
For Pacquiao, he is coming off a one-sided unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley in their rubber match as Pacquiao floored Bradley in route to a clear victory. Since then Pacquiao scored another big victory as was elected Senator in the Philippines . Vargas gave us his thoughts on Pacquiao.
?I am going up against a fast, experienced, fighter and it is possible and I have what it takes to win,? Vargas said. ?He is the older and I am the younger fighter just like when he beat Barrera and Morales. They were past their prime,? Vargas added.
Despite all that the motivation factor for Vargas is there. Growing up a young fight fan Vargas recalls the victory?s Pacquiao had over Mexican legends and future Hall of Famers Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
?Those fights hurt me, they were my idols and what can I say god works in mysterious ways,? Vargas said.
Coming into this fight or perhaps throughout his career Vargas seems to be fighting with a chip on his shoulder as if he was mad at the world. The champion expressed his frustration as he feels he has not received the credit he is due.
?I know a lot of you guys don?t think I can do it but I am here to show you that I can. Just as I have always proved you wrong,? Vargas said.
Photo: Mary Ann Owen
Having began his career with Mayweather Promotions in 2008. Vargas went 20-0, with 7 KOs with wins over former world champions Vivian Harris and Steve Forbes as well as close wins over Josesito Lopez and Aron Martinez before signing with Top Rank in late 2012.
?I am probably the only champion that has not got credit. I have busted my ass to get here I was put to lose so many times. I was with Mayweather Promotions and put on other promoters cards as they were setting me up with tough fighters. They didn?t care if I lost since I was not with that promoter. I came up the hard route? Vargas said. ?I did not take the easy route my entire career,? Vargas said.
Now he gets set for the biggest fight of his career as he will take on the Filipino icon Pacquiao.
?I don?t get easy fights,? Vargas added.
Vargas vs. Pacquiao will be a scheduled 12 round championship fight for Vargas?s WBO welterweight title in a fight between the champion and the legend.
?Even though I have not got the credit I deserve, after November 5th I will be given the proper respect but there will be some guys saying Manny was washed up. I am already waiting on those comments,? Vargas said.
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla
