Mexican sparring partners, pupusta kay Pacquiao.

Kung paniniwalaan ang Mexican sparring partners ni eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, nakatitiyak ang Pinoy boxer na mababawi ang WBO welterweight crown sa kababayan nilang si Jessie Vargas sa Linggo sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Inamin ng matagal nang sparring partner ni Pacquiao na si two-time world title challenger Raymundo Beltran na nahilo siya nang maka-spar ang Pilipino sa Top Rank Gym kamakailan kahit may suot na head gear.

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“He stung me with a left,” sabi ng Mexican na kasalukuyang No. 11 sa WBC lightweight rankings sa BoxingScene.com.

“Once Manny gets him, Vargas won’t be able to keep up. Manny is poison for Vargas’ style. [Vargas] is a brawler. He likes to fight, but Manny takes a punch very well. He’s strong and keeps throwing punches.”

Maging ang walang talong si WBC No. 12 super-lightweight Jose Carlos Ramirez na limang linggong nanatili sa Pilipinas para sa sparring session kay Pacquiao ay naniniwalang mahihirapan ang kababayan niya sa bilis at galaw ng Pinoy boxer.

“Manny will surprise Vargas with his speed and movement,” ani Ramirez. “I throw a lot of punches, and I’d never been tired in the ring, but Manny made me as tired as I’ve ever been from the hips down through three rounds because he keeps me thinking and moving and tense, waiting for his explosive punches.”

Ngunit nangako si Vargas na sa taglay niyang kabataan at kalamangan sa taas at haba ng binti ay lilikha siya ng pinakamalaking upset sa kanyang boxing career.

“I see [me] coming out with a big victory in front of the entire world in spectacular fashion and [surprising] everyone,” giit ni Vargas. “I am going to use every advantage I have in this fight.”

Para naman kay Pacquiao, kumpiyansa siya na mahihirapan si Vargas kapag nakaharap na siya sa ibabaw ng ring.

“A lot of fighters have said for many years that when they watch my style on TV – even from ringside – that it looks easy to handle. When you step into the ring with me, you’re surprised by the speed, my power, being heavy-handed,” ani Pacquiao. “A heavy-handed boxer is different than a strong boxer.”

Para naman kay Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, madali para kay Vargas na sabihing tatalunin si Pacquiao pero iba ang usapan sa ibabaw ng ring.

“Many of those [opposing] game plans haven’t worked out so well,” dagdag ni Roach hinggil sa paborito niyang boksingero. “I know there’s some things being said by [Vargas] and his [trainer] … about their plan, but we have ours, too, and my fighter is as sharp as a tack today. I just have to maintain him and keep him right where he is.”