LAS VEGAS’ Jessie Vargas will fight Tim Bradley at the StubHub Center in Carson on June 27. Vargas believes victory over the former WBO welterweight champion would propel him to a fight with Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao.
“Look good and who knows? I know that beating Bradley will compare me to Manny Pacquiao, will put me in a position to fight Manny Pacquiao in fans’ eyes which is the most important thing. I’m ready for it. I’m looking forward to it,” Vargas told Boxing News. “Everything depends on how I look in this fight, how I perform and that will get me in the big fights. I don’t know how to step back. I have the biggest heart out there and I know how to fight.”
It is a marked step-up from Vargas’ previous opposition. “From what the people say, he’s the toughest guy [I’ve fought]. We’ll just have to see. He definitely is tough. He’s a great fighter. He was known as a pound-for-pound fighter so I’m excited to be in the ring with him and getting a victory over Tim Bradley would be huge,” Jessie said. “He has great capabilities but I see myself beating him. I know what I’m about, I know what I have. I just have to look for his weak links and I’ll continue to work hard and come in better shape than he will.”
He believes the guidance from his trainer, none other than Roy Jones Jnr will see him through. “Having Roy with me is a great benefit and he’s going to guide me to victory,” Vargas added. “[Bradley is] a little awkward from what I’ve seen. A lot of fighters have had a little bit of issues with him, just because he’s a little awkward, he has speed, quick leg movement, he’s quick on his legs, boxes a lot.
“That night he knows he has to come out and show something. He also knows that I’m the taller fighter. So he’s going to have to come and fight and we’re ready for it.
“I’m ready for it. I don’t care where you put me. Whether it’s in a club ring, you know what I mean, or the biggest stage in the world. I’m there to fight.”
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