Vargas vows to gain Pacquiao's respect once he hits him

MANILA, Philippines – WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas says he will catch Manny Pacquiao’s attention the moment he hits him with a punch in their November 5 tussle.

In a recent interview with War a Week Radio, a confident Vargas downplayed Pacquiao’s status as an all-time boxing great, saying he’s just another opponent.

"Manny Pacquiao is a fighter who's revered by everyone, including his peers. But to me, he's just another fighter that I have to defeat," said Vargas, who at 27 years is a decade younger than Pacquiao.

"He has a big name, and he's done a lot for the sport which I respect, but he hasn't faced me. I understand the magnitude of this event, it's huge. But it's nothing that I haven't foreseen. I've visualized all of this," he added.

The Las Vegas-based fighter will put his title on the line against Pacquiao at the Thomas & Mack Center in his home city, and he said he’s ready to set foot on the big stage.

"I saw all of this when I was coming up, fighting on the under cards of big-time events like this. I knew I was going to get my opportunity eventually, so I've been preparing myself for this moment mentally for years," Vargas continued.

Pacquiao should be a favorite to defeat Vargas, whose lone loss in 28 outings came at the hands of Timothy Bradley – whom the Filipino dominated in their trilogy. This should boost Pacquiao’s confidence heading into his duel with Vargas.

Vargas, however, has a stern warning for Pacquiao.

"Without a doubt. The first time I touch him, he's [Manny Pacquiao} going to respect me. I have no doubt that my power will hold him off and make him think twice about merely coming in and imposing his will,” he said.

"But I don't just have power...I have speed, I have ring intelligence, I can be the ring general with my footwork and my jab. I have the experience to know when to use each of my tools in the ring. I know what I'm doing in there."