One-on-One with Samuel Vargas
On Friday, the Boxing Examiner caught up with Mississauga’s own Samuel Vargas (8-0-1), one day before his National Championship Committee (NCC) welterweight title contest with Montreal’s Manolis Palitis (17-1-1) at Mississauga’s Hershey Centre. The matchup with Plaitis represents the stiffest competition of Vargas’ young but fruitful career and the hometown hopeful’s second Canadian title appearance. Fans will vividly recall Vargas’ 2011 Canadian Fight of the Year candidate, NABA Canada welterweight championship contest against then CPBC champion Tebor Brosch (6-3-5), which ended in a draw. It was Vargas’ subsequent TKO victory over Montreal’s Ahmad Cheikho (6-3-2), however, that took Canadian Fight of the Year honours, ultimately paving the way for this NCC title shot.
TBE: This is your first time out with Billy Martin as your head trainer, what improvements has he made in your style?
SV: He’s helped me a lot with my foot work and my hand speed. I know I can punch, I know I can throw fast combinations, we broke it all down so I could do it better.
TBE: What does it mean to you to be challenging for a Canadian Title?
SV: For me it means a lot, I know it’s not the big title but for me it means a lot because I love this country. I’m happy to be in this country and I’d be really happy to hold that title.
TBE: What are you feelings on being elevated to main event status for the first time as a professional?
SV: You know what; people ask me that and to me it’s the same thing just going out later on in the night. It’s just another fight.
TBE: Your last fight was a barn burner and recognized as Canadian Fight of the Year, what does that mean to you?
SV: It was a really entertaining fight, we fought toe-to-toe, it was a good war! Unfortunately he broke his hand, some people say he quit depends on who you talk to or what you want to believe. Those are the types of fights you’ll see coming from my end.
TBE: Do you think Plaitis can stand up to your constant pressure?
SV: He got knocked out by a guy he wasn’t suppose to lose to and I can confidently say I don’t believe he can stand up to my pressure. I will impose my size, my weight and my jab and he won’t take that.
TBE: What are your predictions on the fight?
SV: We’re going to finish early. I don’t like giving myself a round or rushing myself but it will be an early night.
TBE: Do you have any message for Plaitis?
SV: He better know he’s going to be in for a fight!
TBE: Do you have anything to say to your fans?
SV: It means a lot for all the support they’ve given me, all the cheers. It’s a lot of hard work we put into each fight and I’m happy they’re there. It’s great, thank you all!
TBE: Thank you for talking with TheBoxingExaminer.com and good luck tomorrow!
SV: Thanks to you guys!
Tags:Manolis Plaitis, Samuel Vargas
Filed Under: Interviews
