Jessie Vargas confident in Liam Smith matchup: “I’m gonna win by knockout”
A must-win super welterweight bout is in store ahead of the historic clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, which takes place this Saturday at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Super welterweights Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith will face off in what is expected to be a career-changing bout for both men as they look to narrow in on the 154 lb belt.
Vargas (29-3-2, 11 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time in two years. His last outing came against Mikey Garcia in which he lost via unanimous decision. During the two-year layoff, the former two-division champion has been campaigning to represent the 4th Congressional District of Nevada and training for a spectacular return to the ring.
In a recent interview with iFL TV, Vargas seemed confident that he will be able to get the job done come Saturday.
“I’m gonna win by knockout. That’s the plan, that’s what I’ve prepared for and that’s what’s gonna happen.”
He continues to say that 4th ranked Smith is “basic” and that Smith will be “backing away” on Saturday night.
Interview below:
Smith (30-3-1, 17 KOs) is the former WBO champion and sits in the top 10 of super welterweights in The Ring, WBA, and WBO. In the WBC rankings, Smith sits in the top 5 at number 4. Come Saturday, he will walk into the ring coming off of a TKO victory over Anthony Fowler last October and will be looking to make his way back to a title shot.
Fowler gets stopped by Liam Smith!!! #SmithFowler pic.twitter.com/FsCxdSW7bL
— Strictly Boxing Fans (@BoxingBritain1) October 9, 2021
One of boxing’s most historic nights will take place on April 30th at MSG. It is to begin at 7:30 p.m. EST and will stream on DAZN ($19.99 monthly subscription).
Full card:
Katie Taylor (C) vs. Amanda Serrano for WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles – 135 lbs
Franchon Crews-Dezern (C) vs. Elin Cederroos (C) for WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF titles –
Liam Smith vs. Jessie Vargas – 154 lbs
Galal Yafai (C) vs. Miguel Cartagena for WBC international title – 112 lbs
Skye Nicolson vs. Shanecqua Paisley Davis – 126 lbs
Austin Williams vs. Chordale Booker – 160 lbs
Reshat Mati vs. Joe Eli Hernandez – 147 lbs
Khalil Coe vs. William Langston – 175 lbs
Check out the promo below:
Finally. This is the moment. For Puerto Rico. For New York, For Latinas. For women. For boxing. For sport. For history. #TaylorSerrano from @TheGarden live on @DAZNBoxing. Retweet if you will be watching us make history on April 30th. pic.twitter.com/qmwNBiiEuy
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) April 25, 2022
