I do not underestimate Jessie Vargas, says focused Manny Pacquiao ahead of ring return

Vargas’ only defeat to date was against Timothy Bradley, who Pacquiao has beaten three times

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Manny Pacquiao says the upcoming fight with Jessie Vargas will decide the remainder of his career. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:30am, 28 Oct 2016Updated: 9:36pm, 28 Oct 2016

Manny Pacquiao is regarded as one of the greatest boxers ever but says he will not be taking his opponent lightly when he faces World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jessie Vargas next week.

Seven months after defeating Timothy Bradley in his much trumpeted farewell to the sport, the Filipino southpaw will return to the ring on November 5 when he faces American Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas.

“I do not underestimate Jessie Vargas,” Pacquiao, 37, told reporters after beginning his training camp in Los Angeles this week under the watchful eye of his Hall of Famer trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club.

Pacquiao began his pre-fight training camp in Las Vegas this week. Photo: Reuters

“He is a good strong champion. Every opponent gets my full attention and respect. I respect Jessie and that is why I trained hard. This is the most important fight because it will determine the direction of my boxing career.”

The 27-year-old Vargas (27-1) beat fellow American Sadam Ali in March to claim the WBO welterweight crown and has won 10 of his bouts via a knockout or stoppage, with his only defeat coming via a points loss to Bradley in June 2015.

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