Jessie Vargas is running for US Congress
It’s fair to say that Jessie Vargas has got his hands full on more than one front in 2022.
The former two-weight world champion climbs back into a boxing ring for the first time in two years on April 30, and ‘The New Generation’ certainly isn’t doing things by halves.
He will take on Liam Smith at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s clash with Amanda Serrano, knowing full well that the Brit is up to six in the light-middleweight rankings.
Unsurprisingly, the bookmakers have Smith as their comfortable -225 favorite in the online sports betting odds for this contest, although Vargas – the +200 outsider – has previously thrived when tagged with underdog status.
As if preparing for a bout with a hungry former world champion wasn’t enough, Vargas is also set for a different kind of sparring this year as he runs for Congress in the state of Nevada.
@jessievargas_: It’s official! I’m running for US Congress! (Nevada-4) Nevada has given me so much. Now, I’m devoting my time to fight to keep the American dream alive! Join team Vargas by chipping in here: https://secure.winred.com/jessie-vargas-for-congress-inc/donate_website
The 32-year-old has promised to ‘keep the American dream alive’ in his electioneering material, and he will be hoping to emulate the political achievements of his former foe, Manny Pacquiao, who is now a senator in his native Philippines.
In an eight-minute documentary shared on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel, Vargas looks in tremendous shape and appears particularly sharp on the pads – the American promises to ‘make a statement’ by knocking Smith out in NYC.
That would be some message to the light-middleweight division. Smith’s only prior KO defeat came against the best in the business, Canelo Alvarez, back in September 2016, with his two subsequent losses coming via the judges’ cards.
Beefy Knows What’s at Steak
You would have to conclude that Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith is at something of a crossroads in his career.
Now aged 33, the Liverpool battler is desperate to climb the rankings once more and fight for light-middleweight gold. He will know that victory against Vargas – despite his opponent no longer being ranked by the major authorities – will thrust him towards a contest against Jermell Charlo, Erislandy Lara or Brian Carlos Castano.
Most pundits, and the sportsbooks, of course, expect a comfortable win for the Brit, but a look at Vargas’ record confirms that you have to be very good to beat him – Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley and Mikey Garcia are the only blemishes on his resumé.
@DAZNBoxing: Two worlds collide on the #TaylorSerrano undercard, only one can prevail #VargasSmith
Unperturbed, Smith is plotting his route back to the top of the division, and has promised to do what nobody has achieved before – stopping the American inside 12 rounds.
“I am aiming to retire him and send him into politics,” Smith has said. “He wants to move into politics, and I will give him a reason to concentrate on that 100 per cent.
“I fully intend on stopping him, being the first man to do it and adding my name to the names that have beaten him.”
A loss for Smith would lead to a demotion back to the domestic scene in the UK or even retirement, while Vargas’ in-ring return would fizzle out at the first hurdle if he tastes defeat. As ever, these ‘all or nothing’ bouts tend to be the most fascinating to watch.