PACQUIAO NOT AFFECTED BY PRESSURE TO WIN TITLE AS SENATOR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 01 Nov 2016
Senator Manny Pacquiao admitted he was pressured to win convincingly, especially by knockout, against Jessie Vargas, this coming Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. But he insisted that he would focus on training and would not be affected by the pressure.
"There?s a pressure for me, but I don?t want to think about that, I don?t want to get distracted by that. For me, the pressure encourages me, is a motivation to focus hard, focus on training, work hard," he said when interviewed by The National.
Pacquiao promised to make his fans happy come fight night. He did not underestimate Vargas even if the Filipino boxing icon is the heavy favorite to win. He just punished his body in training to condition himself and to prove that he is still one of the best pound-for-pound fighters.
"I will do my best. I will not predict the fight, but I?ll do my best to make the Filipino people and the fans happy, and to win the fight. Of course, I don?t want to underestimate him. I respect him because he?s a champion. I have to make sure that I?m 100 per cent conditioned, that that?s still there and that I?m 100 percent ready for the fight."
When asked whom he would like to face next if he successfully hurdle Vargas. Will it be Terence Crawford, Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman, or even Gennady Golovkin?
"I cannot say that right now, because my focus is on the upcoming fight with Vargas on November 5," Pacquiao answered. "Sure, it is exciting. I?m excited to show that even as a senator I can still excel in boxing, that I can still maintain my name at the top."
Pacquiao said he felt good in a great training camp. He did not let his practices affect his Senate duties. It is very important for him to win this fight to give honor to the Philippines as a boxer and senator at the same time.
?I keep fighting of course there is a prize bringing honor to my country. Its the first time in boxing a senator as a boxer. Its important for me to win convincingly to prove I?m still here.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 24 Jan 2026NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Donaire back in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 23 Jan 2026Four Pinoys in line for title shots
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 23 Jan 2026Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
Fri, 23 Jan 2026SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026