Manny Pacquiao ready for Jessie Vargas challenge
Saturday 5 November 2016 11:31, UK
Manny Pacquiao is keen to cement his name into boxing folklore by winning yet another world title on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Eight-weight world champion Pacquiao will bid to reclaim the WBO welterweight title for a third time when he returns to the ring seven months after announcing his retirement.
Pacquiao, who is also a full-time politician in the Philippine Senate, will give away a height, reach and weight advantage when he faces champion Jessie Vargas.
The 37-year-old, who turned professional around the same time as Vargas started school, tipped the scales during Friday's weigh-in at 144.8lbs, with the American heavier at 146.5lbs.
"I know I am the challenger going in and I have to fight that way," Pacquiao said. "It is not enough to do well. I have to take the title away from him.
"It want to make history. It would mean a lot for me to win this fight."
Pacquiao (58-6-2-KO38) beat Miguel Cotto to win the WBO title in 2010, lost it two years later in a controversial decision to Timothy Bradley, and then won it back when he handed the American his first career defeat in their rematch in 2014.
The southpaw defended the strap against Chris Algieri but then lost it to Floyd Mayweather in last year's unification showdown, before returning from shoulder surgery to defeat Bradley a second time in his last fight to win the interim version.
Vargas, who is 10 years younger, five inches taller and has a four-inch reach advantage, is making his first title defence after winning the vacant WBO crown by beating Sadam Ali.
"Manny Pacquiao has had a great career," said Vargas, whose sole loss in 28 fights was on points to Bradley last year.
"Everybody that beats him becomes a legend and I look forward to becoming a legend."
