PACQUIAO, VARGAS READY TO RUMBLE
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Nov 2016
LAS VEGAS, NV ? One guy will be seeking respect and recognition denied him by the boxing world despite being the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt owner. The other, already a legend in his own right, simply wants cement his legacy as boxing history?s only winner of world championships from the flyweight (112 pounds) division to as high as super welterweight (154 pound) category.
American Jessie Vargas stakes his 147-pound title when he clashes with Filipino great Manny Pacquiao Saturday in an encounter many believe could define the future of their professional careers.
The 12-round title showdown is set at the Thomas and Mack Center at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus this city.
Vargas, only 27 and 10 years younger than Pacquiao and five inches taller at 5-foot-10 will be exploiting to the hilt that advantage in height and heft to keep his crown and, hopefully earn the stardom he has long been searching.
Pacquiao, will deny him that though with tested punching power and quickness plus a 21-year experience that catapulted him to world championships all the way from the low 112-pound division to as high as the 154-pound category.
Both pronounced themselves ready to rumble.
The extremely confident Vargas has repeatedly been claiming he?ll beat the hell out of Pacquiao if only to realize his dream hatched since his early age eight even proclaiming he?s not scared of the Filipino icon?s credentials built in 64 professional fights highlighted by 38 knockouts.
?Absolutely not,? Vargas replied every time he?s asked. ?Not at all, this is where I belong. I?ve been waiting for this moment since I was eight years old. I?m glad it?s here and I?m going to take advantage of it. I?m so ready. I?m in the best shape of my life. I?ve never felt this great, this powerful, this strong, fast. I?m going to win this fight.?
Pacquiao, the ever soft-spoken tiger off and on the ring, dismissed Vargas prodding and instead said he does not want to underestimate his big-mouthed rival.
?He (Vargas) is a good champion. Every opponent gets my full attention and respect Jessie that is why I trained hard for this fight,? he told reporters before leaving Los Angeles last week.
?This one of the most important fights of my career because it will determine the direction of my boxing career,? he surmised. ?I need to win convincingly. I want boxing fans to go home happy after the fight. That?s my primary concern.?
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