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Pacquiao vs Vargas: 5 keys to victory for Jessie Vargas

By Zachary Alapi

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Welterweight Manny Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas pose after a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel on September 8, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Welterweight Manny Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas pose after a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel on September 8, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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Jessie Vargas is less than a week away from the herculean task of trying to upset Manny Pacquiao. While few are giving Vargas even the slightest chance of winning, here are five keys to victory for the WBO welterweight champion.

No one should blame Jessie Vargas for landing a fight against Manny Pacquiao. For Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs), a skilled and likable champion, the Pacquiao fight represents a life-altering opportunity — both from a boxing and financial standpoint.

And yet, it’s easy to understand why boxing fans are frustrated with the matchup. Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) looked sharp in his last fight — another dominant win over Timothy Bradley Jr. — and his comeback after a brief retirement led to speculation about the potential of a Floyd Mayweather Jr. rematch or a tantalizing bout against unified junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

But in opting to face Vargas, one has to wonder about the ultimate purpose of Pacquiao’s ring-return, especially given that the Filipino icon is now a senator (he was formerly a congressman) and likely eyeing his country’s highest office at some point in the near future. Is Vargas a springboard to something bigger? Or is this simply a cash grab for Pacquiao?

Regardless, you can bet Jessie Vargas is taking this fight far more seriously than the majority of boxing fans. And given Pacquiao’s age and Vargas’ breakout win over Sadam Ali, he could exceed expectations. Here’s how that happens.

5) Landing the right hand

A quick glance at Jessie Vargas’ knockout record — a KO percentage of 36 — doesn’t suggest fight-altering power. However, over his last two contests, Vargas appears to have harnessed genuine explosiveness in his right hand, which he used to shake Timothy Bradley Jr. to the soles of his boots in the final round of their fight and explosively stop Sadam Ali in his next outing.

Against Manny Pacquiao, a southpaw, Vargas’ right hand will be his most crucial weapon. He must be able to set it up with jabs, counter with it and, if he’s feeling bold, lead with it. At this stage of his career, Pacquiao is even more hittable and his whirlwind, attacking style means there will be openings for Vargas’ right hand.

Pacquiao was famously knocked spark out by a Juan Manuel Marquez counter straight right hand that travelled mere inches in their unforgettable fourth fight. Vargas certainly can’t counter punch on Marquez’s level, but he doesn’t have to; he merely needs to throw his right hand with conviction.

Footwork will be crucial in this regard, as Vargas will want to circle left and blind Pacquiao with his jab to create a path for his right hand. That said, feinting with his right, occasionally dropping the punch downstairs and throwing off-speed shots will be essential. For an orthodox fighter, this is the most basic power punch — yet variety will be key.

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