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By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will mark his boxing comeback as he faces World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Jessie Vargas today at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Both fighters have shown their readiness for the world championship clash as Pacquiao tipped the scales at 144.8 pounds while Vargas submitted 146.5 pounds during Saturday’s weigh-in.
Pacquiao, who is gunning to clinch the 147 pound belt for the third time in his career, said he is not concerned with Vargas’ height advantage since it’s not new for him to fight taller taller boxers.
“I’ve fought taller guys (like Oscar dela Hoya and Antonio Margarito). It’s not new to me,” said Pacquiao. “It also has a disadvantage. If you know how to use it then it will be a factor.
“Margarito is taller than me but he did not use his advantage. So, it looked like I’m taller than him,” he added. “Like I said, if he knows how to use his advantage, it can be a good fight. And that’s what we’re waiting for.”
Vargas, for his part, said he’s confident of his chances against the “aging” Pacquiao as he plans to stop the Filipino boxer just like Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez did a few years ago.
“If I connect with a good punch, of course, he will go down. I have the power. I’m a younger Marquez and I’m here to show it,” said Vargas. “To be honest there is really nothing much. It’s just another fight, just another opponent.”
“From what I saw in his last fight, I think he was still at his best. I’m glad Manny is in good time in his career, because then no one will have any excuse. I want to beat the best Manny Pacquiao,” he added.
This marks Pacquiao’s first boxing match since announcing his retirement after defeating Timothy Bradley for the third time in April at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao has a 58-6-2, 38 KOs win-loss-draw ring record. However, he has lost three of his last seven fights: against Bradley, Mexican Marquez and retired boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas-native Vargas, who captured the WBO welterweight title by beating Sadam Ali last March, boasts an impressive 27-1-0, 10 KOs win-loss-draw ring record.
The Pacquiao-Vargas clash will be shown on a slightly-delayed basis starting at 9 a.m. on Solar Sports and 10 a.m. on GMA 7. A live blow-by-blow coverage of the bout will be broadcast at dzBB 594 AM starting 8 a.m./PN
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