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Pacquiao going toe-to-toe withVargas
By Nick Giongco
Los Angeles — Manny Pacquiao is willing to play the waiting game next week but relishes the idea of going toe-to-toe with Jessie Vargas as he looks forward to a rousing ending to his 27th fight on US soil.
“Mas maganda kung papasok para mas exciting ang laban,” said Pacquiao less than a week before attempting to wrest Vargas’ World Boxing Organization welterweight crown at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
But Pacquiao feels that Vargas, who stands three inches taller and younger by ten years at 27, will most likely be a bit gun-shy, knowing that the Filipin excels in a slugfest.
“Pero baka naman ‘di pumasok at mag-aa**** a**** lang,” Pacquiao said as he spent Sunday by attending church service in the morning and hosting a sumptuous lunch at his favorite Japanese restaurant on Vine Street in Hollywood.
Still, Pacquiao says he has all bases covered.
If Vargas fights the way he does—aggressive and daring—the 37-year-old Pacquiao will be more than willing to engage.
And if Vargas opts to play it safe, Pacquiao maintains that he has also something up his sleeve that will force his foe to open up and eventually fall into a trap that he and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach have laid out.
Pacquiao hasn’t scored an abbreviated win in over seven years and is itching to put an end to the knockout drought on Nov. 5.
“I have to win and win impressively,” said Pacquiao, whose last stoppage victory came against Miguel Cotto in 2009.
Those around him believe the string of decision endings will come to an end against Vargas, who will have to step up his game as he has never fought somebody in Pacquiao’s mold.
In becoming the WBO 147-lb king, Vargas piled up victories over guys who pale in comparison with those Pacquiao had met.
The most recognizable name in Vargas’ 27-1 record is Tim Bradley, a fello Pacquiao mauled last April.
Still, Pacquiao is not about to go in there and assume that Vargas will pass out at the mere sight of him standing in the opposite corner.
“Champion ‘yan, so di mo dapat maliitin,” he said.
Meawhile, Pacquiao will do his last sparring session Monday afternoon before motoring to Sin City.
Roach will likely allow him to do three or four rounds but these won’t be as intense as the ones that he did a few weeks ago in the Philippines.
“We’re done wit all the hard work,” said Roach.
Formal arrival rites take place for Pacquiao and Vargas on Tuesday and a press conference happens on Wednesday.
The official weighin will be Friday.
By Nick Giongco
Los Angeles — Manny Pacquiao is willing to play the waiting game next week but relishes the idea of going toe-to-toe with Jessie Vargas as he looks forward to a rousing ending to his 27th fight on US soil.
“Mas maganda kung papasok para mas exciting ang laban,” said Pacquiao less than a week before attempting to wrest Vargas’ World Boxing Organization welterweight crown at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
But Pacquiao feels that Vargas, who stands three inches taller and younger by ten years at 27, will most likely be a bit gun-shy, knowing that the Filipin excels in a slugfest.
“Pero baka naman ‘di pumasok at mag-aa**** a**** lang,” Pacquiao said as he spent Sunday by attending church service in the morning and hosting a sumptuous lunch at his favorite Japanese restaurant on Vine Street in Hollywood.
Still, Pacquiao says he has all bases covered.
If Vargas fights the way he does—aggressive and daring—the 37-year-old Pacquiao will be more than willing to engage.
And if Vargas opts to play it safe, Pacquiao maintains that he has also something up his sleeve that will force his foe to open up and eventually fall into a trap that he and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach have laid out.
Pacquiao hasn’t scored an abbreviated win in over seven years and is itching to put an end to the knockout drought on Nov. 5.
“I have to win and win impressively,” said Pacquiao, whose last stoppage victory came against Miguel Cotto in 2009.
Those around him believe the string of decision endings will come to an end against Vargas, who will have to step up his game as he has never fought somebody in Pacquiao’s mold.
In becoming the WBO 147-lb king, Vargas piled up victories over guys who pale in comparison with those Pacquiao had met.
The most recognizable name in Vargas’ 27-1 record is Tim Bradley, a fello Pacquiao mauled last April.
Still, Pacquiao is not about to go in there and assume that Vargas will pass out at the mere sight of him standing in the opposite corner.
“Champion ‘yan, so di mo dapat maliitin,” he said.
Meawhile, Pacquiao will do his last sparring session Monday afternoon before motoring to Sin City.
Roach will likely allow him to do three or four rounds but these won’t be as intense as the ones that he did a few weeks ago in the Philippines.
“We’re done wit all the hard work,” said Roach.
Formal arrival rites take place for Pacquiao and Vargas on Tuesday and a press conference happens on Wednesday.
The official weighin will be Friday.