Search Weight Loss Topics:




Feb 29

Despite The Odds, Jessie Vargas Expects Signature Win Over Mikey Garcia – Forbes

Diets that Work Comments Off on Despite The Odds, Jessie Vargas Expects Signature Win Over Mikey Garcia – Forbes

Feb 22, 2020; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jessie Vargas in training camp as he prepares for his February 29, ... [+] 2020 bout against Mikey Garcia.

Ahead of his welterweight bout against former four-division wold title holder, Mikey Garcia (39-1, 30 KOs), theres a calm in Jessie Vargas (29-2-2, 11 KOs) that seems unnatural considering he's set to square off with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.

Maybe, its the fact that the former two-division title holder enters as a +425 underdog at the MGM Grand Sports Book (Garcia is a -500 favorite) despite him being the bigger fighter. Maybe its because hes in his own words had the best training camp of his career. Whatever the cause of this chill demeanor, in speaking with Vargas, I quickly understood that that calm stems from his overall confidence in self and that hes already visualized solving all the challenges Garcia will present him with this Saturday on DAZN (8 p.m. ET) at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX.

I spoke with Vargas on what made this training camp the best ever and how he envisions a signature win against Garcia.

You mentioned in an Instagram post that this is the best camp of your life. Why has this camp been the best yet?

Its been the best one because it has all been properly organized. Im not doing too much and not doing insufficient training. Its all scheduled to how my body is feeling while still pushing me to the limit but also giving me the proper time to rest. I think thats very important for an athlete at my level. There have been no distractions whatsoever and the focus has only been on the task at hand. My moments away from the gym, Im either relaxing, doing some studying and watching my opponent or watching the sparring sessions that Ive done.

Its been very calm, but very efficient because were always working on something new. When its time to spar, its been about working to perfection and making sure that things are just as we expect when were processing a punch, a step to the side or quick head movement. Its all been working in our favor and there has been nothing but good days in this training camp.

What can you contribute to that type of positivity?

I guess you can say its the experience that I have now at 30-years-old. I just feel that I have the experience to know what I need to focus on and I have a great team that continues to push me to do better. Theyre never happy with what Im doing because its always we can do better and I love that about them. They see good things but they see ways to make things better. Im a student of the game so whenever you bring something new to me, I accept it and take it in like a sponge. The diet has been helping me to benefit me in becoming strong each and every day in the gym. I dont feel tired, exhausted or depleted. Everything has just been working out.

There is a calm to you that you typically dont see in a lot of fighters this close to a fight. How would you describe the space youre in?

Thats a good way of looking at it. I feel very calm, very efficient is the word. I train hard but I make sure I put in the time to get enough rest on a daily basis to perform better the following day. That just comes with the experience after several of years. Youre definitely going to make some mistakes in the beginning and you learn from them in training camp and you get to a position where Im at where you better understand whats at stake and the sacrifices that come with wanting to be your best.

You had to drop a considerable amount of weight, beginning around the holiday season. Was that something that was a struggle?

It wasnt that bad. The last time I fought was (last) April, so I guess I got used to it. You get used to the point where you know you have to maintain your weight and I dont like to go above 165, even on my off time. I like to stay between 160-165. I know what I like, and I know whats good for me. Ill take in as much protein as I can and as little carbs on my time off. Say in the wintertime, when Christmas hits, I might have one tamale and Ill pack on a lot of chicken on the side. I got my protein on the side and that way it feels like Im having more tamales.

I also drink a lot of water before each meal so that way I dont have the want to consume big meals. I have my own ways of cheating whenever I do want a cheat meal, but the minute that training camp begins, then everything changes. Thats when the full diet comes on. When I was moving up to 154, I was eating a lot more food and I felt like it was too much, but I would do it because I wanted to move up. At 147, Im just bringing down the portion of the meals, making sure Im taking in the proper amount of protein and the proper amount of carbs. On days where Im going to have a strong training session, I make sure to take in a ton of carbohydrates. Its a mixture when it comes to the diet and on my off time.

Feb 22, 2020; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jessie Vargas in training camp as he prepares for his February 29, ... [+] 2020 bout against Mikey Garcia.

What foods would you would consider your cheat meals?

Id say every now and then a pizza, burger. Those are the main ones with being in the U.S. and being an American (laughs). Those are definitely my weaknesses, but I also love chocolate any type of chocolate. Ever since I was a kid, I always enjoyed sweets too much of it actually. Ice cream also! Thats life for me. I love it.

Outside of the diet, what are the other methods youve used to aid in cutting weight?

In the beginning, it was longer runs just to keep the weight down and get in shape. Running steep hills just to work the legs and keep them strong. Now that its a little closer to the fight, now we start bringing in the speed and making sure that the body is performing quickly and explosively. Its all a matter of scheduling it properly. We worked the power shots at the beginning of camp and now its more of the combinations, explosive punches and now were making sure that we have quick and explosive leg movements.

At the reduce weight, in what ways do you feel different with your movements in the ring?

I feel faster and more explosive. My reaction is quick and thats going to be very important in this fight.

What do you visualize happening on Feb. 29?

I feel like its going to be a good fight. I see myself maintaining control throughout the entire fight. Garcia is going to come. Hes a warrior and I give him credit. Hes a good fighter and Im not going to take anything away from him. I think when he wants to come in, Im going to hit him until he decides to look for another alternative. Once that happens, Ill start applying the pressure and breaking him down, picking him apart little by little and shocking him with several big right hands right to the chin, which are going to be a big impact in the fight. Hes going to be surprised at the power that I possess and I see myself coming out with the victory in extraordinary fashion. After that, Mikey is still a good fighter and can still be champ at 140 pounds.

See the article here:
Despite The Odds, Jessie Vargas Expects Signature Win Over Mikey Garcia - Forbes

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker