Pacquiao vs Vargas: 5 keys to victory for Manny Pacquiao

3) Negate Vargas’ right hand

Although he only has a knockout ratio of 36 percent, Jessie Vargas has harnessed some impressive pop in his right hand. He had Timothy Bradley Jr. drunkenly waltzing around the ring in the final round of their fight after landing it flush, and he used the punch to knock out 2008 Olympian Sadam Ali to win the vacant WBO welterweight title.

And, of course, Manny Pacquiao — an aggressive southpaw — can be susceptible to this punch. The haunting image of Juan Manuel Marquez knocking Pacquiao out cold with a counter right hand that traveled mere inches has been seared into the collective memory of boxing fans. While no one expects Jessie Vargas to replicate this, the point is that Pacquiao isn’t invulnerable.

As previously mentioned, feinting and angles will be crucial in negating Vargas’ right hand. Pacquiao has never been a stationary target, so don’t expect him to start now. He may be an older fighter, but he can still move. Pacquiao can circle to his right to avoid Vargas’ right hand, but this rudimentary tactic will only serve as the foundation upon which Pacquiao’s variety is built.

Pacquiao can also use a disruptive lead right hand to fluster Vargas. While it will be difficult for Pacquiao to land a flush jab because of the aforementioned height and reach disadvantages, he can use his right hand to swat away Vargas’ left jab and pepper his forearms with stinging, handcuffing shots. Lastly, Pacquiao needs to avoid complacency and recklessness, which segues to our next point.