LAS VEGAS – Jessie Vargas beamed with pride moments after the official weighin Friday, acting and sounding very much like somebody who is on the cusp of becoming a superstar.
On the eve of his defense of the World Boxing Organizaton welterweight title against Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao Saturday night, Vargas didn’t mince any words in expressing his confidence in the final hours going into the slugfest set at the Thomas and Mack Center.
“I’m just itching to put on my gloves. Looking forward to winning tomorrow (today),” said Vargas, the heavy underdog, who clearly looked massive when he stood beside Pacquiao during the traditional pose after the weighin.
That spark of confidence stems from the things that he did during training camp.
“When you work so hard and have the right strategy, and you have everything to come out victorious, there is no reason to have doubts.”
All week long, Vargas has been telling everyone how he plans to spoil Pacquiao’s comeback from a brief retirement and maintain his status as champion for a long time.
Dewey Cooper, Vargas’ outspoken trainer and master motivator, feels a handover is due and that Pacquiao will realize that his time is up.
“Once he lands that right hand, he’s gonna feel it,” said Cooper, referring to Vargas’ overhand punch that nearly put the lights out of Tim Bradley, a guy Pacquiao had knocked down but could not put on queer street.
Asked what he plans to do in the morning of the fight, whether he has some rituals to do like pump himself up by watching a feel-good movie like Rocky, Vargas shrugged it off.
There’s just one thing that he will do.
“I am all fired up and I am going to win,” Vargas said. (Nick Giongco)