Exclusive: Jessie Vargas Talks Training With Mike McCallum, 13-Month Layoff Between Recent Fights

Jessie Vargas made some key changes to his training team and he believes those changes could be the key factor heading to his fight against Adrien Broner.

Those changes include Vargas bringing in former four-time world champion Mike McCallum to train him. McCallum joined Vargas less than a month before his last fight in December against Aaron Herrera, but the payoff so far has been very beneficial.

Vargas spoke to Fightful about his upcoming fight against Broner and the training camp he’s having. Vargas is set to fight Broner in the main event of the April 21 Barclays Center boxing card, which will be televised on Showtime. The fight will be contested at a 144-pound catchweight, but Vargas, who’s been fighting at welterweight for the past couple of years, said he’s in great position to make the 144-pound weight limit and calls the current camp he is having the best one of his career.

“McCallum’s known as a body snatcher and a four-time world champion in his time and he’s a man who is very knowledgeable. He’s been around the sport for so many years and I’m lucky to have him on my side and in my corner. We have a great team and Mike has been bringing out the best in me, reminding on several things to do inside the ring, also perfecting the technique and adding some of his tricks to my game. I feel great, I feel better than ever at 28 years old. I feel like that this is the next chapter in my career, but now I feel like in my prime,” Vargas said.

Although Vargas didn’t have McCallum for a full camp against Herrera, Vargas is taking full advantage of McCallum’s knowledge this time around. The two-time world champion will also have legendary cutman Stitch Duran helping him out. Duran and McCallum have history working together and so that history will only help Vargas in his upcoming fight, according to the 28-year-old boxer. Vargas noted that there were some differences in his style in his last fight and with McCallum’s help, Vargas believes he’ll be a faster, more explosive fighter.

“We had maybe about three-and-a-half weeks, but in that short time, he was able to help me get better as a fighter. I believe that the fans and people who watched that fight noticed a difference in me. Now, we have a full on camp together and he’s been teaching me, which I love. I’m a student of the sport, no matter what. No matter how much time you spend in the sport, you can always improve one way or another and that’s how I feel. Mike McCallum is in my corner and he’s only helping me gain more knowledge in the sport and as a fighter. When it comes to Stitch and him, Stitch actually worked with him when Mike was fighting. That actually brings back a chemistry and they’re on the same page. It’s great and my team is very happy,” Vargas said.

That fight and partnership with McCallum came at the end of a 13-month rest from his last fight. That fight was Vargas’ last loss, dropping the WBO welterweight title to Manny Pacquiao. Since then, Vargas said he has had to evaluate certain things in his personal and professional lives, but is happy with where he is right now.

“I thought I need some time off. I honestly did. I’ve been hitting the gym since 2008 when my professional career began and I never stopped. In 2017, I was able to take some time off and evaluate some things with what I had and figure out what’s next and what I wanted next, not only in my boxing career, but in life. Thankfully, we’re in a great position. We’re ready to restart my career. I haven’t gotten anywhere. I’ve always stayed at the top 5 in the world, but I’m looking forward to being the top 1,” Vargas said.

Broner vs. Vargas will cap off a Showtime tripleheader at the famous Brooklyn, New York venue on April 21 that will include two title fights: Gervonta Davis vs. Jesus Cuellar for the WBA super featherweight title and Jermall Charlo vs. Hugo Centeno Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title. Fightful will have live coverage of the event from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.