No handshakes during weigh-in

LAS VEGAS – With his WBO belt hanging from his left shoulder, Jessie Vargas stared down at Manny Pacquiao, then faced the crowd chanting his name, raised his closed fists and walked away.

The two fighters, who will square off inside the ring at the Thomas & Mack Arena on Saturday evening (Sunday morning in Manila), did not shake hands after they both made weight at the Encore Theatre.

Pacquiao, being the challenger, was called in first, by boxing tradition, and took off his black and gold Anta attire. Down to his boxers and socks, he made weight at 144.8 pounds.

The eight-division champion who’s coming out of a short retirement couldn’t come in any heavier than that despite a huge appetite during training camp.

But it was no surprise at all because his trainer, Freddie Roach, said two days ago they plan to tip the scales at 145 pounds or just a little more.

Vargas, the champion but the underdog, came in at 146.5 pounds. He seemed so happy to make weight, flexing his biceps and breaking into a wide grin.

After the weigh-in, Pacquiao, who merely smiled and waved at his fans inside the theatr that was relatively small by his standards, and Vargas parted ways.

Vargas spoke on the microphone, wearing faded jeans and the belt still over his shoulder.

“Manny Pacquiao has had a great career and it would mean the world to me to defeat him. Those who have beaten him have become legends. I look forward to becoming a legend myself,” he told the crowd.

It was a mix of Filipinos, who chanted, “Manny! Manny!” and Latinos, who shouted, “Jessie! Jessie!” It’s the same kind of atmosphere expected during fight night.

Pacquiao said he doesn’t mind being the challenger, meaning he will be the first to make his ring entrance, and the first to be introduced by ring announcer Michael Buffer.

“It motivates me that I’m the challenger and I’m fighting a champion,” were his kind words.

“I promise to give you an action packed fight. And Manny will do the same thing,” said Vargas a couple of days ago, leading up to this title fight.

“We’re ready,” he said.