Manny Pacquiao v Jessie Vargas: WBO

welterweight championship as it
happened
Manny Pacquiao beats Jessie Vargas by unanimous decision!

Pacquiao wins a unanimous decision by scores of 114-113, 118-109 and 118109.

Round 12

Pacquiao landing shots amid chants of Man-ny! Man-ny! from the crowd.
Another knockdown near the end of the round but again its ruled a slip. A
one-sided beating of a champion a decade his junior. Pacquiao, at 37, just may
be the best active fighter in the welterweight division.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 109-118
Pacquiao)
Round 11

Pacquiao looking incredibly energized here. More in-and-out movement keeps

Vargas off balance then a huge overhand right from Pacquiao. Vargas has
slowed down a lot here. Pacquiao caught flush by Vargas while rushing in but
he takes it well. Still, a scary moment. Pacquiao lands with a right near the end
of the round and goes down, but the referee rules it a slip. It looks as if their
feet were tangled but that easily could have been ruled a knockdown. Easy
round for Pacquiao.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 100-108
Pacquiao)
Round 10

Pacquiao looking comfortable now, countering at will, landing punches from

all sorts of angles. A double hook, a straight left, an uppercut. He seems to
have figured Vargas out completely. Hes outlanding and outthrowing him.
Vargas to his credit has shown no quit, its just a different class of fighter
before him.

Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 91-98

Pacquiao)
Round 9

Two hard overhand lefts by Pacquiao but Vargas is unbowed. Hes still trying
to win this fight, not simply exit the ring upright like so many previous
Pacquiao opponents at this stage. Yet Pacquiao continues to frustrate Vargas
and make him miss and he wins another round. Crucially, the Nevada State
Athletic Commission has ruled the cut over Vargas eye was caused by a
punch. That means if the fight is stopped as a result of the cut, Pacquiao will
be awarded the victory without going to the scorecards.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 82-88
Pacquiao)
Round 8

Vargas connects with a massive straight right but Pacquiao fires back with a
flurry of punches. A clash of heads but it appears to be accidental. Pacquaio
really punishing Vargas here with blinding speed and now hes opened a cut
above the champions right eye. Clearly a Pacquiao round.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 73-78
Pacquiao)
Round 6

Pacquiao connects with a left hand and Vargas is showing a lot of swelling on
the right side of his face, but he responds with a hard right that catches
Pacquiao flush! Now another right by Vargas! Its only taken him half the fight
but hes finally found range with it. Hes controlling distance a bit better and
on our card hes won his second round in a row.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 10-9 Pacquiao (Vargas 55-58
Pacquiao)
Round 5

Good straight left by Pacquiao but it doesnt seem to affect Vargas, who now is
ramping up the aggression. He barrels forward and throws a series of punches.
None seem to connect with substance but its better than waiting for Pacquiao

to bring the action. Pacquiao landing punches here and there but Vargas
looking more confidence and returning when he can. The closest round yet
and Vargas has really managed to keep it on even terms, just enough to nick it.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 10-9 Pacquiao (Vargas 45-49
Pacquiao)
Round 4

Vargas just looks slower and hes expended a lot of energy simply keeping
Pacquiao at bay, so its a problem that wont resolve itself. He lands a nice
right early on but continues to miss wildly with the left hook. The constant inand-out, herky-jerky movement of the challenger is just too much to keep up
with. Another good right by Vargas near the bell. That was his best round but
Ive still got to tip it to Pacquiao.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 35-40
Pacquiao)
Round 3

Vargas rattled here and Pacquiao starts to open with combinations. A flurry of
punches moves Vargas back but he stays on his feet. Oh and Manny is really
letting his hands go now: punches in bunches from all angles. Now the crowd
is chanting: Man-ny! Man-ny! Pacquiao warned for a low blow. Vargas
connects with a stinging shot near the end of the round, perhaps his best shot
of the fight, but its not enough to take the third. Pacquiao sure doesnt look
like the fighter who is 10 years older.
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao (Vargas 26-30
Pacquiao)
Round 1

Pacquiao fires a few right jabs. Vargas advantages in height (six inches) and
reach (five) are apparent, but he looks tighter and on edge. A body shot from
Vargas, who is boxing and staying disciplined, measuring distance with the
lead left. Good counter left by Pacquiao, who is circling the champion and
looking for an opening. A compact uppercut by Pacquiao near the end of the
round and its a solid start for the challenger
Guardians unofficial score: Vargas 9-10 Pacquiao