MANILA--His training for his upcoming fight may be more rigid than before because of his other job, but Manny Pacquiao stayed true to his words that he will attend to his Senate duties while trying to take the WBO welterweight belt away from Jessie Vargas.
In the final press conference for their showdown at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas on Thursday (Philippine Time), the former two-time WBO champ said, "I have to make sure that I'm 100 percent conditioned even though I'm working in the office. You're right. It's not easy to be a senator and a boxer--working in the office while training.... I'm glad that I fulfilled my duty while I'm training in boxing."
Meanwhile, the erstwhile eight-division world titlist said he sees his 2006 self in Vargas, who is fighting a marquee opponent for only the second time in his career.
"I feel what he's feeling right now, because I've been there when I was 27-28 years old--how hungry I [was].... I have to prepare myself because I know the hunger of my opponent, and I'm ready for that," Pacquiao continued.
During that period, Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales twice with a win against Oscar Larios at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City sandwiched between.
About the fight, where Pacquiao is a minus-850 favorite to claim his tenth world title, he said, "I'm so excited for Saturday (Sunday, Philippine Time). I'm sure it's gonna be a good fight--a historical fight."
While he may be the superstar in the fight, Pacquiao still uttered kind words to the upstart Vargas.
"It's an honor for me to challenge the champion," he concluded.
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