By Edward Chaykovsky
Manny Pacquiao’s long time adviser Mike Koncz is predicting all-out fireworks on November 5th, when the Filipino superstar challenges reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10KOs).
Vargas captured the vacant WBO world title in March with a knockout of previously undefeated Sadam Ali.
Pacquiao was in action a month later, when he won a dominating twelve round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley in their trilogy fight. After the fight was over, Pacquiao announced his retirement to pursue a full-time career in politics back home in the Philippines.
The fight is receiving a lot of heat from the critics, who would rather see Pacquiao fight WBC/WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford, WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia, or even WBA champion Keith Thurman.
Koncz made it no secret two weeks ago, he doesn't like the fighting style of Crawford. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach is on the same page with Koncz, and wanted no part of Crawford for the November date. It is believed that Crawford's decision to use a lot of movement to dominate Viktor Postol was a big motivating factor for Pacquiao's handlers to select Vargas.
Roach, who headed Postol's corner last month, felt Crawford's ability to move was very reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather Jr. - who beat Pacquiao last May.
If the fans are hungry for an all-out war, Koncz predicts Pacquiao-Vargas will deliver just that. The contest will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“It [Pacquiao-Vargas match] is going to be a perfect fight, a pretty much entertaining fight because [their] styles create a good fight,” Koncz told The Manila Times. “Pacquiao and Vargas will surely give the fans a really good fight that they’ve wanted. That’s my only comment.”
Pacquiao's entire training camp will take place in Philippines to prevent the possibility of potential conflicts with his political duties as a senator.