Jessie Vargas (26-1, 9 KO’s) was eager to avenge the lone defeat of his record when he spoke to Fight Hype recently.
In his first fight moving up in to the welterweight division Vargas took on pound-for-pound mainstay Timothy Bradley -whose only loss is to Manny Pacquiao- and was thoroughly outboxed for the majority of the 12 rounds by a foe far more experienced at the elite end of the sport.
He seemed to have been boxed into a state of resignation until the final session, when he launched a hellacious right hand from his boots that landed clean on Bradley’s jaw, scrambling his senses and putting him on the retreat.
Vargas tried to follow up and tracked Bradley down towards the end of the round, only to have referee Pat Russell mistake the 10-second warning for the final bell, separating them prematurely and in Vargas’ mind, robbing him of certain victory.
That result is still an unresolved issue for Vargas and he would like the chance to rectify it should Bradley grant him the opportunity.
“I still want it man I’m always gonna want it, hopefully I get it. I hope that he’s a man of his word. He did say on national television that he would give me a rematch. I hope that he keeps his word, we’ll just see what type of man he is.”
Fighters and their wants are often secondary to a promotor’s plan, and it will all depend on Top Rank CEO Bob Arum whether these two can get together again.
As for alternatives Vargas in open to all comers in his new home of 147 lbs., which leaves the door open for match-ups with Mike Alvarado, Carlos Abregu or even new WBO 140 lb. champ Terrence Crawford should he decide to jump up in weight again.
“I’m staying at welterweight now.”
“I want Bradley but if I don’t get him I’d take on anyone. Anyone the fans want to see me against.”
