EVEN WITH A BUSY SKED, PACQUIAO IS FAVORITE OVER VARGAS THE UNDERDOG
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Oct 2016
Inspite of his very hectic schedule as senator of the republic, Manny Pacquiao trained religiously for the WBO world welterweight title fight against the champ Jessie Vargas on November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
?This is a big challenge for me because, first, I?m a challenger and he?s the champion,? said Pacquiao who is seriously preparing for the fight even if he has an 11-2 betting advantage over the American champion 10 years his junior.
?And this is my first fight since I was elected as a senator, so it?s an honor for me to bring another record in my career,? added the only eight-division world champion who has never missed a session and a hearing at the Upper Legislative Chamber since he assumed his elective post.
"It is all about discipline and time management," said Pacquiao as quoted by Yahoo Sports. "Boxing is my passion and public service is my calling. I will continue to travel both roads as long as I can do both effectively. I dedicate the fights I take on to my fans and my countrymen. They have kept me in their prayers. I fight to bring glory to the Philippines whether I'm wearing boxing gloves or standing on the floor of the senate."
For his part, Vargas considered the underdog tag as an additional motivation to show to the boxing world that he has the flair to win. ?A lot of you guys do wish me luck, but in the back of your mind you?re thinking: ?I don?t think he can do it.? But I?m here to tell you I can,? declared the Las Vegas native.
Many times he proved critics wrong against stronger opponents. ?And just as I?ve always proved you wrong with several other undefeated fighters you thought were either going to beat me or knock me out, now I?m still on top. I?m still world champion,? said the title holder with Mexican descent as quoted in The Telegraph.
?I?m the only champion that hasn?t got the proper credit. I was picked to lose so many times. I was brought up as an opponent. I was a journeyman, you could say, and I?m only 27 years old,? said Vargas who indicated that in many fights he was considered the dark horse.
Trainer Freddie Roach commented on Pacquiao?s dual role as boxer and senator as reported by GMA News Online. ?He's a little bit tired but those things happen, especially when you have two jobs.?
"I have been training Manny for 15 years and even after all this time he still amazes me," said multi-awarded Trainer of the Year as quoted by World Boxing News. "He's pushing 38 and he still outworks every fighter I've ever worked with. He's had a killer schedule during this training camp but it's been really productive. You'd have to see it to believe it."
?He hasn't lost a step. He's still the same Manny Pacquiao I've always known and he's still a great fighter,? Roach wrapped up his description of his favorite trainee.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nagoya Nightmare: Naoya Inoue Notches One-Sided Decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Inoue’s Philippine Connection: Which Pinoy Super Bantamweight Could Challenge “The Monster?”
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to the Finals at the World Boxing Championships Perez Set to Face Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao-Wen Huang for 54-Kilogram World Title
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Canelo Gets Outboxed, Loses Undisputed Title to Crawford
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025A Masterpiece of Boxing: Terence Crawford Dethrones Canelo Alvarez in Historic Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025LEWIS CROCKER IS CROWNED THE NEW IBF WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Battle of Undefeated: Callum Walsh Vanquishes Fernando Vargas Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Undercard Inferno: Mbilli and Martinez Deliver a Super Middleweight War Ending in a Thrilling Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Crawford to defy odds?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Clash of Titans: The Final Predictions for Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Inoue and Akhmadaliev Make Weight for Sunday's Battle, Watch it LIVE on Facebook!
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025IIEE North Cotabato and Metro Central are the Golden Champion on 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Sydney Sy Tancontian is Female Awardee of Sports Hero of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Size Matters
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 13 Sep 2025