MANILA, Philippines – WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas is hell-bent on defeating Manny Pacquiao on November 5 that he’s making sure he’s got all bases covered.
That includes studying Pacquiao’s past fights.
A photo tweeted by Top Rank Inc. shows Vargas taking a break from a media appearance to watch on his mobile Pacquiao’s first fight with archrival Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004. It is common practice for boxers to study their opponent's previous bouts to see their strengths and weaknesses.
.@Jessie_vargasJV has been making the media rounds all day, but he still finds time to study @MannyPacquiaoTR. pic.twitter.com/VjR3U5zWLM
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) September 18, 2016
Pacquiao-Marquez 1 was an epic battle that saw the Filipino icon knocking the tough Mexican thrice in the first round, only to keep rising and eventually forcing a split draw.
The two superstars went on to fight three more times in their stories rivalry, with Marquez having the last laugh when he knocked Pacquiao out cold in 2012.
Vargas (27-1, with 10 KOs) will attempt to do the same.