“The Legend” vs. “The Champ” on November 5

Boxing fans, Pac Man is back.

Manny Pacquiao will face Jessie Vargas November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. This press luncheon (held at the famed Beverly Hills Hotel) will be the only presser to announce this upcoming match igniting on the grounds of the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Congressman and Senator from the Philippines took a brief break from boxing after his win over Timothy Bradley Jr. in April of this year. But the Filipino southpaw (58-6-2, 38 KOs) will now hold his training camp in his home country as he squares off against the Vegas welterweight titlist Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs). Their championship bout, in which Vargas will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) world welterweight belt, is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Wynn Las Vegas. This clash will air on Top Rank Pay-Per-View (PPV). During the press conference, Top Rank’s Bob Arum announced that three other world championship fights will also be on the November 5 card.

The Crystal Ballroom was packed as we anticipated the fighters and their teams to take their turns at the podium.

Pacquiao vs. Vargas is billed as “The Legend” vs. “The Champ.” Official fight posters feature a red image of Pacquiao vs. a green graphic of Vargas, both with fierce expressions emanating from the artwork. Once again, two-time champ Jessie Vargas will be the underdog in this competition as the 27-year-old is ready to go toe to toe versus the legendary Pacquiao, 37, boxing’s eight-divsion world champion.

In attendance were Team Pacquiao including trainer Freddie Roach, adviser Michael Koncz, Justin Fortune and a vocal team of supporters in the audience and Team Vargas was represented with trainer Dewey Cooper, Jessie’s father Jose Vargas, strength and conditioning coach David Hayes, cutman Rafael Garcia, manager Cameron Dunkin and more.

Business icon Steve Wynn (Wynn Las Vegas) also spoke and said he’s looking forward to this showdown, good-naturedly calling Vargas a Vegas “homeboy.”

Freddie Roach said the team will train in the Philippines for six weeks and that they expect a tough fight with the champ Vargas but they will be ready for Jessie. While showing respect to Team Pac Man, Dewey also said his champ plans to “show the world their is a new generation in boxing–and that generation IS Jessie Vargas.”

Manny said that he respects Vargas and likes the challenge of fighting to get the belt again; he also wants to prove he can serve the people while also being a boxer.

The superstar says he likes the action-style of this match and that he promises the fans a good fight with more action: “November 5 is gonna be a good fight; more action than what we had before.” Pacquiao wants to give back to the fans so in a special announcement, 7,000 tickets at $50 are available now for purchase.

At the mic, a confident Jessie stated he’s used to being an underdog. “I’m here to perform for the fans, give them enjoyment…and Manny’s the same way. And I’m a two-division champ for a reason.”

Both champs say to expect an action-packed fight.

Pacquiao is the favorite to win with his level of opposition (in facing Mayweather, Marquez, Mosley, Cotto, Morales, Barrera, De La Hoya, etc.), experience, skills and talent. Team member Justin Fortune told me without a doubt, Pac Man will win, hands down.

But those who believe Vargas can score a big upset say Jessie’s youth, hunger, drive and strength will push him to victory. In his last fight, Vargas scored a TKO win against Sadam Ali in March of this year and also made headlines with his controversial loss to Timothy Bradley in June 2015.

Now comes November 5 in which Manny Pacquiao (“The Legend”) faces Jessie Vargas (“The Champ”) for Vargas’ WBO welterweight belt.

Will the younger Vargas pull off another upset? Or will the Filipino lefty nab another championship title?

Watch the action go down November 5 in Vegas!

Tickets: www.unlvtickets.com

Image by Supreme Boxing