After his fleeting retirement from the boxing industry, Filipino pride, Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao, takes back the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title from Jesse Vargas in his comeback fight on the evening of Nov. 5, Saturday. Held in Thomas Mack Center in Las Vegas, the fight was concluded by a unanimous decision in favor of Pacquiao.
The new WBO titleholder made a sweep, scoring 118-109, 118-109, and 114-113 from the three judges. He was able to strike the 27-year-old a knockdown in the second round through a solid left counterpunch, which gave him a lead on the defending champion. Nevertheless, Vargas took control and brought up a fight until the 12th round.
Pacquiao set up combinations with both his left and right hands the entire fight, instead of just hounding for the legendary lefts. Even so, striking the left hand still caused a minor damage on the right side of Vargas' face in the fifth round.
Acknowledging Vargas' size and height advantage, Pacquiao professes that he never underestimated the opponent. "I respect Jessie and that is why I trained hard. This is the most important fight because it will determine the direction of my boxing career.", says Pacquiao in an interview with Gareth Davies, a boxing correspondent in Las Vegas. He knows that he needs to put on his A-game in order to reclaim the WBO title, especially since this is Vargas' first defense after his remarkable victory over Sadam Ali.
When asked about future possible opponents set for Pacquiao, Coach Freddie Roach told USA TODAY Sports last July how the wants the rematch with Mayweather to be realized. While this may be the case for PacMan's trainer, the Filipino champ expresses that he is not picking anyone in particular, but says he will fight whoever his promoter sets for him.
Pacquiao now carries the record of 60-6, comprising of two draws and 38 knockouts. This is the third time that he takes home the WBO title, remembering his first time in 2010 beating Miguel Cotto. He lost it in 2014 and 2015 to Timothy Bradley and Floyd Mayweather, respectively.
Watch the highlights of Pacquiao vs Vargas fight here.
