By Miguel Angel Cebreros, notifight.com
Undefeated welterweight Jessie Vargas (22-0, 9 KOs), 24-years-old, feels ready to take on the best at 147-pounds. Trained by renowned Mexican trainer Roberto Alcazar (who would lead Oscar De La Hoya to stardom), and promoted by the promoter Top Rank, Vargas wants to take the next step by facing a top gun in his division. Vargas will have one more test on Friday October 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. He will face Ghanaian contender Ray Nahr (26-3, 21 KOs). The following night at the same venue, World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Timothy Bradley will defend against Juan Manuel Marquez.
Last year Vargas was in the running to face Marquez, who decided to face Sergey Fedchenko instead.
"Marquez is 40. I'm young, I have a four inch reach advantage. I'd reach his jaw practically every time. I have the speed, I have the movement. Marquez did not fight with me because he had everything to lose and nothing to gain. I have the opposite view on that. Whether the opponent has a name or not - you have the same risk. [Every fighter] has two hands and a desire to win. I want a chance against Marquez. His time is gone. He looks good with the fighters that he is choosing. He is a very strong fighter, but I have everything to beat him," Vargas said.
