Manny Pacquiao is already ready to face Jessie Vargas on Sunday despite age difference.
Senator Manny Pacquiao is on the proper condition for the near fight against Jessie Vargas, who is younger than him, on Sunday, November 6, Philippine Time.
Statistics wise, the new welterweight champion Jessie Vargas is 10 years younger than Manny Pacquiao, but the Pinoy boxer insisted he is now ready.
Pacquiao has a ring record of 58-6-2, 38 knockouts while Vargas has 27-1, 10 knockouts record.
All that matters to Pacquiao now is that he has reverted in this training camp to the form that has allowed him to make so many others who believed they had a formula to defeat him silent.
“A lot of fighters have said for many years that when they watch my style on TV — even from ringside — that it looks easy to handle. When you step into the ring with me, you’re surprised by the speed, my power, being heavy-handed,” Pacquiao said. “A heavy-handed boxer is different than a strong boxer.”
The 37-year-old Pacquiao hasn’t scored a knockout since he stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in 2009. But he has adapted by relying on his still-effective punching speed in his 11 fights since.
“Many of those [opposing] game plans haven’t worked out so well,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. “I know there’s some things being said by [Vargas] and his [trainer] … about their plan, but we have ours, too, and my fighter is as sharp as a tack today.
“I just have to maintain him and keep him right where he is.”
Vargas, on the other hand, will make the first defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt Saturday night in Las Vegas time.
Pacquiao has won that same belt on three other occasions throughout his boxing career.
“I see [me] coming out with a big victory in front of the entire world in spectacular fashion and [surprising] everyone,” Vargas told reporters. “I am going to use every advantage I have in this fight.”
