From World Champion to Possible Washington D.C. Congressman: Unique Road of Jessie Vargas
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (November 12th, 2021)– Not since now retired ex-world champion Manny Pacquiao declared his candidacy for the Presidency of the Philippines in 2022 under the PDP-Laban Political Party has another boxer gone from ring glory to political sun. Lightning has now struck twice, but from an unexpected source. President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump, have a look at this. A former world champion in the United States boxing arena has aspirations of realizing a seat in the United States Congress. Jessie Vargas has taken a double career unique road. The odds have no measure. The dream has no previous precedent in boxing.
“The Pride of Las Vegas”, Jessie Vargas, 29-3-2 with 11 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada, the former World Boxing Association Super Lightweight and World Boxing Organisation World Welterweight champion, has been out of the ring since February 2020, when he lost a close 12 round decision to Mikey Garcia for the vacant World Boxing Council Diamond Welterweight title, over 18 months ago.
Vargas is now in the midst of a comeback. He is supposed to be preparing for a possible upcoming fight with Liam Smith, 30-3-1 with 17knockouts, Liverpool, United Kingdom, for the World Boxing Association International Super Welterweight title held by Smith, which Smith won at Echo Arena in Liverpool by stopping Anthony Fowler in the eighth round last month. Vargas has fought at super welterweight before, knocking out veteran Humberto Soto in the sixth round at Forum in Inglewood, California in April 2019 in the sixth round.
Mexican-American Los Angeles born Vargas is going Republican, and is now challenging Nevada Democrat Steven Horsford for his United States Congressional seat in 2022. Vargas is currently 1-0 in Washington D.C., having defeated Sadam Ali in 2016 at the D.C, Armory for the vacant WBO World Welterweight title in March 2016 by ninth-round stoppage, losing to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas by 12 round decision in November 2016.
Official Statement of Jessie Vargas, Republican Candidate, United States Congress 2022
“I’m not a politician, and that’s exactly what we need in D.C. we need non-politicians who will fight for us and get things done. We need a fighter who will fight to control Washington spending and inflation, improve our schools, and keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. This is the biggest fight of my life. I will fight for Nevadans to protect the American dream. I am running for Congress to make a difference, to make a positive impact on my community, to devote my time to finding a way to help my constituents-my community. The community that saw grow up as a child, the community that gave me so much, the country that gave me an abundance of opportunities which I’m very thankful for. My gratitude extends to a point to where I want to give back. I want to be in a position where I’m able to make a positive impact on others.”
There is no precedent for American boxers rising up in the political arena. Certainly, boxing champions have visited the White House, such as Rocky Marciano meeting President Eisenhower. Professional boxers with good brains rising up to political achievement is an unknown statistic. Perhaps Jessie Vargas can be a world champion again, a congressman, Senator, Governor or higher than that. It’s all part of the American dream. Others have written about the campaign of Vargas this week.
The direction of this editorial is Jessie Vargas is making a unique political statement: boxers can be intelligent too. We tend not to think of boxers as political leaders. This reporter guesses if Pacquiao can envision political leadership, well then, perhaps anybody can. What would a boxer have if you took away his dream? Jessie Vargas has a unique double dream. In terms of being able to balance both careers, only time will tell. If Vargas succeeds, his road to glory will be unique in the annals of boxing history. Jack Dempsey for Secretary of State. Sugar Ray Robinson for Governor. Mike Tyson for Senator. Sugar Ray Leonard for President. The world is changing. With an open mind, there are no stereotypes and no barriers, and Jessie Vargas new dream proves it. Jessie Vargas can do it. The United States is a free country.
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