JESSIE VARGAS PROMISES TO GIVE MANNY PACQUIO AN ALL-OUT WAR: "I'M HUNGRY AND I WANT IT...HE'S ON HIS WAY OUT"
By Percy Crawford | December 02, 2014
PC: Congratulations on your win over Antonio DeMarco. Was that the kind of fight you expected from him?
JV: Yes! We expected him to be tough and well prepared for the fight, and that he was. He is a great fighter and I have a lot of respect for him, but I'm very confident in my team. Angel Heredia and Roy Jones Jr. were a big factor and I think it showed in my performance. We did what we wanted to do in that fight.
PC: A picture of your new physique surfaced on Twitter and obviously you have bulked up a little bit while being ripped as well. How did you feel physically in your new body?
JV: I felt great. Like I said before, I was in the best shape of my life and that's the way it should be. With each fight that comes around, we should be in better shape and that's what we are doing. Each fight, you will see a better Jessie Vargas because I expect more out of myself and I will give more. I think that's what a fighter that is destined for greatness has to do. I have to continuously ask more of myself because I'm trying to be at the top of the game and be the best fighter out there. I'm still young and I have full confidence that that time will come. I have the talent, I have the right game, the proper promoter, the right manager, and the right team, so everything is on my side. All I have to do is to continue to stay focused and I truly believe that it will all come. I can't let any of the negativity or any of the negative comments or naysayers bring me down. It just makes me stronger. You know what keeps me strong?
PC: What's that?
JV: I'm going through stages. Every young fighter goes through stages and I'm no different. It's just like Julio Cesar Chavez. When he fought for the world title against Mario Martinez, what did they say? They said that he was going to get ripped apart. They called Chavez a nobody. And what happened? He stopped Martinez and came out with the victory. Look at Sugar Ray Leonard when he first fought for the world title against...
PC: Wilfred Benitez.
JV: Benitez! They said this youngster is a nothing. They said Wilfred Benitez was going to pick Ray Leonard apart. And what happened? He rose to the occasion. Fighters rise to the occasion and they surprise everybody and that's what I plan to do. We want the opportunity to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao. We will get the fans what they want to see in that fight, which is an all-out war and a real fight. That I promise to give the fans when or if that fight happens. I promise to give them a war. It's going to be like the early fights with Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao, except for this Erik Morales is a much younger fighter and it's my time. I'm the younger Erik Morales. When they fought, Manny was the young fighter coming up, and now I'm the younger fighter coming up and I want to prove that I deserve to be in there with the best. And for that, I just need the opportunity and I promise the fans I will give them what they want to see, which is an all-out war, and I would do whatever it takes to win the fight. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win that fight.
PC: You already sound a lot more confident than some guys going into a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao. Yes, you have to respect his accomplishments, but you can't go in there and treat him like a legend or you will get steamrolled.
JV: Yeah, that's the way I look at it. That's exactly how I look at it. I'm very hungry for the opportunity. I'm hungry to be the best. I've dreamed of this moment since I was 8 years old. I have taken out every obstacle that was put in front of me. I plan on continuing to do that and reaching my goals and accomplishing every goal that I have set out to do. You have no idea how much I want this. Nobody knows how much I want this, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish my goal of being the best pound-for-pound fighter out there. I set that goal when I was 8 years old and I'm sticking to it and I think with each fight, I continue to elevate my skills and elevate my game and I feel like the better fighter that's in front of me, the better Jessie Vargas you are going to see. I will rise to the occasion. And I know that not everyone believes in me, but soon, I will make them into believers.
PC: Most fighters feel that it takes a couple of fights with a new trainer to build chemistry. How do you feel you and Roy Jones Jr. are gelling as fighter and trainer?
JV: It's coming along great. It's amazing. It really is. Roy Jones Jr. has so much knowledge and is just an intelligent individual. He's able to explain everything in detail to perfection to the point where I get it as soon as he says it. He can not only explain it to me, but he'll show me. And I get it as soon as he shows me what he's talking about. We are constantly adding to my arsenal and he shows me and explains it to me so well that I get it right away. I'm like a sponge when I'm around him just soaking it all up. I do my homework and make sure to pick up on it as soon as I can because everything he says makes sense. He's one of the greatest to ever perform and listening to him makes it easy on me. We make a great team.
PC: How did you hook up with Roy?
JV: Coincidence, man. We were at a fundraiser together and he gave me a couple of pointers and said, "Why don't you come into the gym on Monday. I'll show you a few things. I don't want to train you; I just want to show you a few things. I like you. I've seen you fight a few times and I wanna see you continue to progress. I don't want you to stay the same Jessie Vargas." I was there the very next day. I took him up on the offer and within the first 45 minutes, he was showing me things. I said, "Wow, this man has a lot to show me," and I explained to him that I didn't have a trainer and I told him that I wanted him to train me. And he took on the task, which I am really thankful for and now we're here working together. God works in strange ways. He put us in a position where we were gonna be sitting next to each other at that fundraiser and somehow we connected. He's a great person, very easy to get along with, and he's just a great guy.
PC: Going back to a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao, when you see a lot of people bash a fight between you and Manny or anyone and Manny, it's because they want to see the Mayweather fight. You have been on both sides. You were with Mayweather Promotions when the fight first started being mentioned and through the first attempts to make it happen, and now you're with Top Rank in what seems to be the last attempts to make it happen. Is this a fight in your opinion for one reason or another will never come to fruition, therefore fans should start to embrace other fights between those two guys?
JV: I believe it's a fight everyone wants to see and it's a great fight. They are two of the best pound-for-pound fighters out there. People want all doubt to be erased. But unfortunately, I think there are a lot of things that are in the way of it. One is fighting on Showtime and one is fighting on HBO, and one is his own promoter and the other one is with Top Rank. There are a lot of things that are in the middle of it. Everyone wants to see that fight, but I plan to get in the way of those plans. I want to fight Manny Pacquiao. I want the opportunity. I spoke with Bob Arum before my fight and we had a serious talk and he explained to me that there was a very high possibility that if I beat Antonio DeMarco, I could get the opportunity. Roy Jones Jr. is already looking up a game plan on how to beat Manny Pacquiao and seeing the weaknesses that Manny Pacquiao has. And he's already explained to me a few of his weaknesses, so we will be ready. We will have enough time to prepare for him and we will have enough time to perfect our technique and to work on capitalizing on Manny's mistakes. I'm young, man. You gotta understand, I'm young, I'm hungry, and I want it. I want it, you know what I'm saying, and Manny Pacquiao doesn't want it as much as I do. We as athletes have our highs and our lows and I think he's reached his peak. He's had his moments and now it's my time. He came in when Marco Antonio Barrera and Morales were on their way out. Well now I'm on my way up and he's on his way out. I'm the young lion that's ready to open doors and if they don't want me to open 'em, I'll break 'em down. Whether they open 'em or I have to break 'em down, I will get through. People need to know that if you see a fight with Jessie Vargas and Manny Pacquiao, I promise you a war and a great fight and no one will be disappointed. I think that's what fans want to see and if that's what they want to see, accept this fight and let's make it happen. I have a lot of respect for the fans and I want them to have that desire to want to see this fight and I will give them a great fight.
PC: Was fighting in China difficult for you or did you adjust well?
JV: It wasn't difficult at all. It being so similar to Las Vegas made it much easier for me. They have all of the casinos and restaurants and the atmosphere was very similar to the Vegas atmosphere. It felt like back home to be honest. The only difference is I had to stay in a hotel room. The people there were great. They were very happy to have us there and they were quite pleasant to be around.
PC: Congrats again on the win and I hope to see you get the fight you want and that's the one with Pacquiao. Best of luck and we will talk soon. Is there anything else you want to say before I let you go?
JV: First of all, thank you very much. I appreciate your support Percy. I know we have been in contact for years, man, and I appreciate you staying in contact. I want to thank everyone for their support and tune in and hopefully we get a big fight soon. Don't miss my next one. I promise to give you fireworks.
http://fighthype.com/news/article18641.html
By Percy Crawford | December 02, 2014
PC: Congratulations on your win over Antonio DeMarco. Was that the kind of fight you expected from him?
JV: Yes! We expected him to be tough and well prepared for the fight, and that he was. He is a great fighter and I have a lot of respect for him, but I'm very confident in my team. Angel Heredia and Roy Jones Jr. were a big factor and I think it showed in my performance. We did what we wanted to do in that fight.
PC: A picture of your new physique surfaced on Twitter and obviously you have bulked up a little bit while being ripped as well. How did you feel physically in your new body?
JV: I felt great. Like I said before, I was in the best shape of my life and that's the way it should be. With each fight that comes around, we should be in better shape and that's what we are doing. Each fight, you will see a better Jessie Vargas because I expect more out of myself and I will give more. I think that's what a fighter that is destined for greatness has to do. I have to continuously ask more of myself because I'm trying to be at the top of the game and be the best fighter out there. I'm still young and I have full confidence that that time will come. I have the talent, I have the right game, the proper promoter, the right manager, and the right team, so everything is on my side. All I have to do is to continue to stay focused and I truly believe that it will all come. I can't let any of the negativity or any of the negative comments or naysayers bring me down. It just makes me stronger. You know what keeps me strong?
PC: What's that?
JV: I'm going through stages. Every young fighter goes through stages and I'm no different. It's just like Julio Cesar Chavez. When he fought for the world title against Mario Martinez, what did they say? They said that he was going to get ripped apart. They called Chavez a nobody. And what happened? He stopped Martinez and came out with the victory. Look at Sugar Ray Leonard when he first fought for the world title against...
PC: Wilfred Benitez.
JV: Benitez! They said this youngster is a nothing. They said Wilfred Benitez was going to pick Ray Leonard apart. And what happened? He rose to the occasion. Fighters rise to the occasion and they surprise everybody and that's what I plan to do. We want the opportunity to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao. We will get the fans what they want to see in that fight, which is an all-out war and a real fight. That I promise to give the fans when or if that fight happens. I promise to give them a war. It's going to be like the early fights with Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao, except for this Erik Morales is a much younger fighter and it's my time. I'm the younger Erik Morales. When they fought, Manny was the young fighter coming up, and now I'm the younger fighter coming up and I want to prove that I deserve to be in there with the best. And for that, I just need the opportunity and I promise the fans I will give them what they want to see, which is an all-out war, and I would do whatever it takes to win the fight. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win that fight.
PC: You already sound a lot more confident than some guys going into a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao. Yes, you have to respect his accomplishments, but you can't go in there and treat him like a legend or you will get steamrolled.
JV: Yeah, that's the way I look at it. That's exactly how I look at it. I'm very hungry for the opportunity. I'm hungry to be the best. I've dreamed of this moment since I was 8 years old. I have taken out every obstacle that was put in front of me. I plan on continuing to do that and reaching my goals and accomplishing every goal that I have set out to do. You have no idea how much I want this. Nobody knows how much I want this, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish my goal of being the best pound-for-pound fighter out there. I set that goal when I was 8 years old and I'm sticking to it and I think with each fight, I continue to elevate my skills and elevate my game and I feel like the better fighter that's in front of me, the better Jessie Vargas you are going to see. I will rise to the occasion. And I know that not everyone believes in me, but soon, I will make them into believers.
PC: Most fighters feel that it takes a couple of fights with a new trainer to build chemistry. How do you feel you and Roy Jones Jr. are gelling as fighter and trainer?
JV: It's coming along great. It's amazing. It really is. Roy Jones Jr. has so much knowledge and is just an intelligent individual. He's able to explain everything in detail to perfection to the point where I get it as soon as he says it. He can not only explain it to me, but he'll show me. And I get it as soon as he shows me what he's talking about. We are constantly adding to my arsenal and he shows me and explains it to me so well that I get it right away. I'm like a sponge when I'm around him just soaking it all up. I do my homework and make sure to pick up on it as soon as I can because everything he says makes sense. He's one of the greatest to ever perform and listening to him makes it easy on me. We make a great team.
PC: How did you hook up with Roy?
JV: Coincidence, man. We were at a fundraiser together and he gave me a couple of pointers and said, "Why don't you come into the gym on Monday. I'll show you a few things. I don't want to train you; I just want to show you a few things. I like you. I've seen you fight a few times and I wanna see you continue to progress. I don't want you to stay the same Jessie Vargas." I was there the very next day. I took him up on the offer and within the first 45 minutes, he was showing me things. I said, "Wow, this man has a lot to show me," and I explained to him that I didn't have a trainer and I told him that I wanted him to train me. And he took on the task, which I am really thankful for and now we're here working together. God works in strange ways. He put us in a position where we were gonna be sitting next to each other at that fundraiser and somehow we connected. He's a great person, very easy to get along with, and he's just a great guy.
PC: Going back to a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao, when you see a lot of people bash a fight between you and Manny or anyone and Manny, it's because they want to see the Mayweather fight. You have been on both sides. You were with Mayweather Promotions when the fight first started being mentioned and through the first attempts to make it happen, and now you're with Top Rank in what seems to be the last attempts to make it happen. Is this a fight in your opinion for one reason or another will never come to fruition, therefore fans should start to embrace other fights between those two guys?
JV: I believe it's a fight everyone wants to see and it's a great fight. They are two of the best pound-for-pound fighters out there. People want all doubt to be erased. But unfortunately, I think there are a lot of things that are in the way of it. One is fighting on Showtime and one is fighting on HBO, and one is his own promoter and the other one is with Top Rank. There are a lot of things that are in the middle of it. Everyone wants to see that fight, but I plan to get in the way of those plans. I want to fight Manny Pacquiao. I want the opportunity. I spoke with Bob Arum before my fight and we had a serious talk and he explained to me that there was a very high possibility that if I beat Antonio DeMarco, I could get the opportunity. Roy Jones Jr. is already looking up a game plan on how to beat Manny Pacquiao and seeing the weaknesses that Manny Pacquiao has. And he's already explained to me a few of his weaknesses, so we will be ready. We will have enough time to prepare for him and we will have enough time to perfect our technique and to work on capitalizing on Manny's mistakes. I'm young, man. You gotta understand, I'm young, I'm hungry, and I want it. I want it, you know what I'm saying, and Manny Pacquiao doesn't want it as much as I do. We as athletes have our highs and our lows and I think he's reached his peak. He's had his moments and now it's my time. He came in when Marco Antonio Barrera and Morales were on their way out. Well now I'm on my way up and he's on his way out. I'm the young lion that's ready to open doors and if they don't want me to open 'em, I'll break 'em down. Whether they open 'em or I have to break 'em down, I will get through. People need to know that if you see a fight with Jessie Vargas and Manny Pacquiao, I promise you a war and a great fight and no one will be disappointed. I think that's what fans want to see and if that's what they want to see, accept this fight and let's make it happen. I have a lot of respect for the fans and I want them to have that desire to want to see this fight and I will give them a great fight.
PC: Was fighting in China difficult for you or did you adjust well?
JV: It wasn't difficult at all. It being so similar to Las Vegas made it much easier for me. They have all of the casinos and restaurants and the atmosphere was very similar to the Vegas atmosphere. It felt like back home to be honest. The only difference is I had to stay in a hotel room. The people there were great. They were very happy to have us there and they were quite pleasant to be around.
PC: Congrats again on the win and I hope to see you get the fight you want and that's the one with Pacquiao. Best of luck and we will talk soon. Is there anything else you want to say before I let you go?
JV: First of all, thank you very much. I appreciate your support Percy. I know we have been in contact for years, man, and I appreciate you staying in contact. I want to thank everyone for their support and tune in and hopefully we get a big fight soon. Don't miss my next one. I promise to give you fireworks.
http://fighthype.com/news/article18641.html
but he did just fight Algieri
..
u aint gettin in da way of shyt