Yet again, the eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao shook the boxing world with his return to the ring. His upcoming fight against Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title has stirred boxing fans all over. As to who wins the coveted title will be decided on Saturday, 11:30 p.m. EST, at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas.
According to Odds Shark, retirement didn't go well for the only eight-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao as he challenged WBO Vargas. However, boxing fans would probably agree that age has obviously taken its toll on the 38-year-old eight-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, as he no longer can sustain his fighting pressure for a long time like that in his prime. Despite the age drama, Pacquiao can still pull out some remarkable skills and hand speed that once made him one of the top boxers on the planet.
On the other hand, Jessie Vargas is the current WBO welterweight champion. The 27-year-old American professional boxer earned the then-vacated WBO welterweight title defeating Sadam Ali via knockout in the 9th round last March 2016. ESPN reported that the Vargas vs Ali bout was toss-up fight with neither man holding any significant advantage. But when it was over it wasn't close.
The WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas seem to have all the advantage such as his youth with a over four-inch height advantage and an additional four-inch reach advantage. On the contrary, ESPN's Brian Campbell said, "Although he has evolved into more of a counter puncher in recent fights, Vargas remains very much a traditional boxer who stands behind his guard and looks to trade punches."
If the WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas will put this in a smart way, he should cancel out boxing champ Manny Pacquiao's speed with a patient loom. By letting Pacquiao close in on Vargas, it may stop those fast footwork and hand speed.
In the early rounds, fans can expect that the eight-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao will control the punches on the floor. Yet the WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas might change the flow of the fight in the eighth or ninth round.
Most of the odds agree that the eight-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao will win by decision. Who do you think will take home the coveted title? Share your thoughts and comments below.
