On November 5th, the now former WBO welterweight champ, Jessie Vargas, squared off in the ring with eight division world champion, Manny Pacquiao. While Vargas carried momentum into the fight, he struggled against Pacquiao. Vargas was knocked down in the second round and ended up losing unanimous decision. Despite the loss, Vargas remains one of the top young contenders in the division with a bright future ahead of him.
I had a chance to speak with Jessie Vargas to discuss the loss to Manny Pacquiao and how he felt of his performance in the ring, as well as the things that surprised him about the Filipino star. Vargas also spoke about his future plans and when he hopes to return to the ring, Additionally, Jessie gave his thoughts on a potential Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather rematch and addressed his own fans and supporters. Here is what Jessie Vargas had to say.
Jenna J: Jessie, it?s been a few weeks since your fight with Manny Pacquiao. How are you feeling now and what did you think of the experience?
Jessie Vargas: I feel good, I feel good. I feel that I grew much more since after the fight, just because it?s a great experience whenever you face a fighter at that level. You remember your mistakes and you make sure it makes you stronger.
Jenna J: Now that you have actually been in the ring with Pacquiao, how much different was it than you expected?
Jessie Vargas: I expected him to come in much more. He?s a very good fighter so I expected him to be much more aggressive and to stay on the attack. He thought twice about it and it was literally a chess match. We were both getting in there and taking advantage of each other?s mistakes.
Whenever I saw the opportunity, I?d catch him with a few shots and he would come back with some shots as well, so It was an action packed fight back to back. I?m glad the fans enjoyed it and overall it proves we came here to win, unfortunately I did not get the victory, but I gave the fans a great show and that?s what it?s about at the end of the day.
Jenna J: When do you see yourself making your return to the ring?
Jessie Vargas: By next year definitely, I?ll talk to my manager Cameron Dunkin and my promoter and see what they say. But I?ll be ready to comeback anytime.
Jenna J: Seeing as you just fought Manny Pacquiao and he appears to be fully healthy, do you think he does any better against Floyd Mayweather if they do have a rematch?
Jessie Vargas: I don?t know, I mean he?s a great talent, he?s the best in the division at the moment, best fighter at the moment now that Floyd retired. We just don?t know, he said in the first fight he messed up his shoulder, I guess it would be interesting to find out how the rematch would go.
Jenna J: Any message you would like to pass along to your fans?
Jessie Vargas: Thank you all for the support, hope you all enjoy the next fight coming up.
