(CNN Philippines) ? On paper, defending WBO welterweight titleholder Jessie Vargas holds a number of advantages over Manny Pacquiao. Vargas is almost five inches taller, holds a four-inch reach advantage, and is 10-years younger than the Filipino pugilist.
But with age comes with experience, and with Pacquiao’s glittered career and his latest outing against Timothy Bradley to look back on, few would bet against the Filipino.
Senator Manny Pacquiao was once thought to be the best in the world, but that doesn’t faze Vargas one bit.
“We’re ready, we can’t be any more ready than this,” Vargas said in a press conference ahead of their bout.
“In order to be known as the best, you have to beat the best,” Vargas added. “Everybody likes an upset, and I am the underdog.”
‘I’ve been there’
With Vargas aiming to make a name for himself with a victory over one of boxing’s biggest draws in recent years, Pacquiao said he understands where his opponent is coming from.
“I’m sure I feel how Vargas and his team, I respect his team, how dedicated they are for this,” Pacquiao said. “I feel what he is feeling right now because I’ve been there when I was 27 years old.”
Things aren’t all the same for “Pacman,” who had to juggle his legislative duties as a senator with his training as a prize-fighter.
It is an experience, Pacquiao himself won’t recommend.
“Don’t do this,” Pacquiao said on his experience as a politician and boxer. “Being a senator and a fighter isn’t easy if you don’t have discipline.”
Despite the demands of both professions, Pacquiao feels that he has performed both jobs adequately.
“I never missed one day of session in the Senate,” the former eight-weight division champion said. “I am glad that I fulfilled my duty while I am training in boxing.”
The Pacquiao-Vargas bout will happen on November 6 (PHT) at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
