New Welterweight champion Jessie Vargas is 10 years younger than Manny Pacquiao, is approximately five inches taller, has a four-inch reach superiority and is excessively confident to predict doubts in their title fight Saturday.
"I see myself coming out with a big victory in front of the entire world in a spectacular fashion and extraordinary to everyone," Vargas told reporters recently. "I am going to use every inch advantage I have in this fight."
Vargas Defends WBO Welterweight Belt
Vargas (records 27-1, 10 knockouts) will make the first title defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt Saturday night in Las Vegas versus Pacquiao, who has won that same belt on three other bouts.
Directly matters to Manny Pacquiao (records 58-6-2, 38 knockouts) is that he has regressed in this training camp to the form that has allowed him to surpass other boxers who believed they have what it takes to defeat him. "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. But, when you step into the ring with me, you're surprised by the speed, my power, and being heavy-handed," Pacquiao said. "A heavy-handed boxer is different than a strong boxer."
Pacquiao's Speed And Heavy Hand - A Force To Reckon With
Whereas Pacquiao, 37, hasn't scored a knockout since he ceased Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in 2009, he is relying on his still effective punching speed in his 11 fights since. "I'm thrilled with his performance. He's still all there. He doesn't care how old he is." Roach said. "I just have to maintain him and keep him right where he is."
Pacquiao's speed is typically the first thing to scare foes, which is why Freddie Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year was so satisfied with what he's seen for the past few months from Pacquiao in training camps. "He showed every bit of his speed today," Roach said last week. "He's as good now as he ever was, in my mind."
"Manny will surprise Vargas with his speed and movement," Ramirez said. "I throw a lot of punches, and I'd never been tired in the ring, but Manny made me as tired as I've ever been from the hips down through three rounds because he keeps me thinking and moving and tense, waiting for his explosive punches."
After assessing his performance on the training camp, Roach is pushing Pacquiao to grandiosely knock Vargas out and then call on to the retired Mayweather for a rematch. Going for the kill "is the key," Roach said.
