4) Feint and change angles
Jessie Vargas is significantly taller than Manny Pacquiao — 5’10” compared to 5’5 1/2″ — and holds a 71″-67″ edge in reach. So, from a sheer physical standpoint (Vargas’ shot precision and boxing skills aside), Pacquiao will have to craftily work his way into punching range.
Vargas will be naturally wary of Pacquiao’s vaunted combination punching and hand speed, which Pacquiao can exploit. A steady diet of feints, both in terms of decoy punches and hints of charging forward, will keep Vargas off-balance and turn him reactive. And since Pacquiao’s footwork is so fleet, he can capitalize on these moments of hesitation by initiating his offense after Vargas has been lulled into a false sense of tension.
Manny Pacquiao is one of the rare fighters who seamlessly and instinctively changes angles during his attacks. It’s a trademark of his style, and he’s used this trait to bludgeon and befuddle foes in equal measure. As long as Pacquiao gets into rhythm, he’ll be able to consistently give Vargas different looks and dictate where exchanges start and end.
And don’t underestimate the broad importance of changing angles. Sure, it’ll help Pacquiao land punches, but it also serves a defensive purpose. Lateral movement will keep Vargas guessing and force him to perpetually reset, which will help negate his power. It will also frustrate him. Feints and changing angles are the veteran moves that should create that crucial separation between Pacquiao — a truly elite fighter — and Vargas — an emerging one.