It may seem like he has been around forever, but at just 24 years old Jessie Vargas is “finally” getting his chance to fight for his first world title. On April 12, as part of the Manny Pacquiao card in Las Vegas, he will take on Khabib Allakhverdiev for the Russian’s 140 lb. WBA/IBO junior welterweight title. Although he has not competed at 140 lbs. recently, he believes that fighting at that weight he will have every advantage needed in order to claim victory.
We spoke with the 23-0 fighter at a Las Vegas restaurant where he was taking part in a dinner to promote an upcoming reality show that he will also be a part of. In it, he will serve as an adviser for fighters looking for their big break in the sport. Zab Judah and Shawn Porter will serve in similar capacities on the show. Jessie also comments on what he expects from his time on the show and how he thinks he can help other fighters.
2013 was somewhat of a quiet year for Vargas. He fought twice against largely unheralded fighters in Wale Omotoso and Ray Narh. Although he pulled out both fights, speculation began as to where things were headed for one of the brighter prospects in the sport. Many began to question the direction Top Rank was taking with him. However, with the news that he now has a chance to capture a world title, things are once again looking up for him.
Should he pull of the victory in this fight, he has his eyes looking towards a mega-fight he has long coveted. Tim Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao are the names he would be most interested in. But he knows it is first things first, and he won’t get anything unless he first puts in the work against Allakhverdiev.
