In this photo taken on September 29, 2016, Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao trains at a gym in Manila, ahead of his November 6 bout with Mexican boxer Jessie Vargas. AFP
HOLLYWOOD—Boxing pundits, oddsmakers and sportswriters can say all they want about how Manny Pacquiao is heavily favored to beat Jessie Vargas in their WBO welterweight showdown on Nov. 5.
Pacquiao isn’t listening.
“I don’t want to underestimate Vargas. I don’t take him easy,” the eight-division champion said after Tuesday’s afternoon workout, which saw him spar for six rounds at Wild Card Gym here. “As always, I must be well prepared physically and spiritually.”
Pacquiao, listed at -800 in latest searches, is training as hard as he did when he beat Tim Bradley in their third encounter last April 9. Vargas trails by a mile at +550. The figures simply mean that an $800 bet on Pacquiao will net $100, while a $100 wager on Vargas will earn $550.
The Fighter of the Decade, however, (2000 to 2009) refused to predict a knockout.
“I’ll just do my best and prove that I can still fight anybody,” said Pacquiao.
Turning 38 in less than two months, Pacquiao feels there are a few fights left in him.
“I feel good. My speed and stamina are still there,” said Pacquiao.
While he was shadow boxing with Beltran, however, Pacquiao was apparently struck by jet lag again.
“I’m sleepy,” said Pacquiao to the handful of people allowed entry to the gym after the closed door sparring.
Only Beltran’s jokes and questions about his new movements, put Pacquiao back on his toes.
According to Pacquiao, he can still fight anybody, including tormentors Juan Manuel Marquez, who is inactive, and Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is retired.
Facing Canelo Alvarez, however, is out of Pacquiao’s radar for now.
“I don’t know, 154 (pounds) is too big for me,” said Pacquiao, a bloated welterweight who has to eat a lot many times a day to gain weight.
Pacquiao faces the same predicament against Vargas, but boxing people do not care either. They are still picking Pacquiao to prevail and reclaim the 147-pound title.