Last Chaos Tips » nsider this fight the passing of the torch

Its hard to know what to make of Stoke City to this point.Are they the club that went winless through their opening seven Premier League fixtures and spent a considerable amount of time at the foot of the table? Or the one that recently enjoyed a six-match unbeaten stretch over all competitions?Its uncertain which team will show up Saturday against Burnley at bet365 Stadium.Stoke (4-4-5) have largely been seen as one of the most unflashy clubs in the Premier League, known for their direct style of play with bruising target forwards like Peter Crouch. Manager Mark Hughes has done an admirable job over the past few seasons in an effort to bring some style to the pitch by signing highly-skilled players like Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Wilfried Bony, Bojan Krkic and Mame Diouf.With that level of talent in the squad, its hard to fathom the idea that the Potters have struggled in the final third, but the numbers dont lie. They have scored just 14 goals in 13 matches while allowing 19.However, Stoke head into this clash with some confidence after last weeks 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road. A 29th-minute own goal by Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes stood up.We played well considering we had a few key players out, but the guys who came in were brilliant and have certainly given the manager a headache for the next game, midfielder Charlie Adam told the clubs official website.Burnley (4-5-2), meanwhile, have put in some good performances and done well enough to avoid the relegation zone to this point while sitting in 13th place.Each of their wins have come at Turf Moor, however. Sean Dyches squad is also hoping to get back to get back on track after consecutive defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.After being completely dismantled by West Brom, Burnley responded nicely against City, taking the lead through a 14th-minute goal from Dean Marney before Sergio Aguero hit for a brace in the 2-1 defeat.Despite the loss, Dyche liked his clubs resolve.I was really pleased with the performance, other than the result, and that was a great marker, he said. We know we have to take that on the road, but today I was delighted and equally so with the crowds reaction.They know its not easy playing this type of club, but they stuck with the lads throughout with no disappointments. They were right behind us and thats an important factor going forwards.Since beating Burnley 2-0 in their first ever Premier League meeting in 2009, Stoke are winless in the last three (two draws, one loss).The Clarets have won just one of their last seven league games against Stoke City, though this was away at Stoke in November 2014. Fake College Jerseys .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. NCAA Jerseys 2020 . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. https://www.ncaajerseys2020.com/ . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. 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Vargas was confident then, but now the confidence he exudes seems tenfold as he heads into his first defense against the great Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night (Top Rank PPV, 9 ET) at the Thomas & Mack Center.To me, its just another fight, another opponent, said Vargas, who will be fighting in his hometown.It really isnt just another fight or opponent, however. Vargas is in the biggest fight of his life, on a worldwide stage. He is about to face Pacquiao, a boxing legend, the icon of the Philippines and the first sitting senator to fight for a world title.Even though he has never been in a fight of this magnitude, Vargas said he has been able to handle the spotlight and keep calm because of past experiences leading to this moment.Whats probably helped me in my career is that Ive fought on major cards before, Floyd [Mayweather] undercards, huge events, Pacquiao undercards, pay-per-view undercards, where I first became world champion [as a junior welterweight], Vargas said. They were large events and my fights got a lot of attention. I feel it prepared me for this situation. So I know what to expect.Me now being in this position, its nothing new to me. I got a little taste of it before. I knew what I was in for and I am ready for it. Now its my time. Now its time for everyone to talk about me come Saturday night. He seems like a good guy, but as soon as the bell rings its all business.One reason for Vargas confident demeanor is the similar cool and focus displayed by his trainer, former pro fighter Dewey Cooper, who enters his second fight at the helm of Vargas corner.Im a level-headed guy so its another fight for me. I dont stress. Were looking forward for this opportunity, Cooper said. This is what we do this sport for. We dont do it to be B team. We do this to be the very best in the world in every aspect.Vargas is 27 and in his prime and Pacquiao is 37, coming out of a brief retirement and in the twilight of a career in which he became the only boxer to win world titles in eight weight classes. It is that age difference -- not the résumé -- that is meaningful to Vargas, who knows that boxing is generally a young mans sport.What I am focused on is that I am in my prime, Vargas said. I have a lot to show and I have a lot to give in this sport, and on [Saturday] I am going to perform at the highest level.Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) is coming off one of his best performances in years, when he outclassed and outpointed rival Timothy Bradley Jr. in their third fight in April, followed by a retirement that lasted for five months. Vargas said he loves that Pacquiao looked good last time out so he can get credit for beating him.Im happy that he was able to give that performance so when I defeat Manny Pacquiao, they will see that I beat a good Manny Pacquiao who is still performing at the highest level, Vargas said. Thats the Manny Pacquiao that I want to beat.Bradley outpointed Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs) in fairly one-sided fashion in June 2015. But there was controversy because Vargas badly hurt him in the 12th round and nearly knocked him out in the final seconds, but before Vargas had a chance to see if he could finish Bradley, the referee accidentally stopped the fight aboout seven seconds early when he mixed up the sound of the 10-second warning clapper with the final bell.ddddddddddddVargas was livid and filed a formal protest to the California State Athletic Commission, but the result stood and he moved on.It was a learning experience, everything that happened, Vargas said. Not everything is fair and we had to let things go. Thats just the way it is and I am using it as an experience and make sure I let my hands go from the opening bell, not until nearly the last round.It gave me that fire, that anger to -- excuse me if I say it -- to really hurt somebody or kill somebody inside that ring, and to take it and not have any compassion for my opponent. That has built a stronger Jessie Vargas.Said Cameron Dunkin, Vargas manager: He had a bright future and it was a setback and he did take it very, very hard. It was hard on him. He was not used to losing. We talked and he wanted to go through the steps of what he could do with the commission and when that was over, Jessie dropped it and he was done with it and he said, Cameron, lets move on. And thats what we did.Vargas then beat Ali for a title and had an agreement in place to travel to England to face Kell Brook in a unification fight in September. But the deal ultimately was not finalized when the Brook camp wanted to reduce the money following the impact of the Brexit on the British currency. Vargas wound up getting an even bigger fight with Pacquiao.This is where I belong, Vargas said. Ive been waiting for this moment since I was 8 years old. This moment is not so big. Its here and I am going to take full advantage of it.When you envision something in your head over and over again, its like a movie placing you in that position, and once you are there youre ready. Thats the way I see it. I am so ready for this. I am in the best shape of my life. I have never felt this strong or this powerful. I am going to win this fight, thats how good I feel about it.Vargas is about an 8-to-1 underdog at The Wynn sports book and a victory would launch him into the big time, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said.He becomes not just a champion but a superstar. I will deny to him that I said that, because I will have to negotiate his next fight, Arum, who promotes Pacquiao and Vargas, said with a laugh. He would be a superstar. There is no question about that if he were to beat Manny Pacquiao. He has a hell of a shot to do that.Vargas trainer, Cooper, couldnt agree more.Jessie and I consider this fight the passing of the torch. We appreciate the body of work Manny has compiled in his illustrious career. However, as we all know, good things must come to an end and that will happen on [Saturday], Cooper said. This will be our moment, our time for a younger world champion to shine and earn the admiration of the fighting world.This moment is not too big for us. After this fight I will proudly hold up Jessies arm in victory. The torch will be passed.Vargas knows he is the big underdog but he also knows that a victory would be life-changing.It would definitely put me on the worldwide stage, make me that boxing star that I have been looking forward to being, Vargas said. I have been waiting for this for a long time and Im glad its here and I am going to take advantage of it.The only fighters to beat Manny Pacquiao have become legends themselves. So I plan to become one of the few to beat Manny Pacquiao and also become one of the legends. ' ' '