Round 1- The two have a feel-out process, and Vargas is playing the role of the counterpuncher. While doing so, he is able to catch Pacquiao jumping in with some right hands and left hooks to the body and head.

Round 2- The pace starts to pick up, with both throwing and landing their respective power hands more frequently. A few exchanges occur, with neither getting a real edge. A sharp counter left cross from Pacquiao lands flush and drops Vargas on the seat of his pants. Vargas gets up quick and does not appear to be hurt, as he fires back at Pacquiao before the bell. While Pacquiao isn’t provided with the time to follow up, he still puts a 10-8 round in the bag.

Round 3- Vargas is throwing the 1-2 early, but Pacquiao responds with one that knocks him back. Pacquiao puts his fast and flashy footwork on display, allowing him to cut the distance on Vargas whenever he pleases. As he does this, he is able to land lead left hands and right hooks. Pacquiao is also showing the superior jab between the two. Vargas gets in a couple of right hands, but this was another Pacquiao-round.

Round 4- Vargas is finally able to have success with his jab, and he is catching Pacquiao often with his right hand. Pacquiao is still jumping in and throwing left hands, but Vargas is beating him to the punch.

Round 5- Now Vargas is effectively using his jab and right hand to keep Pacquiao on the outside, as he scores numerous times with both shots. Whenever Pacquiao is able to get up close, Vargas lands a few hooks to his body. A nice right hand-left hook-right hand combo lands for Vargas at one point. Good round for Vargas, and perhaps his best in the fight.

Round 6- Vargas is merely potshotting with the right hand for a while. His reach advantage allows him to do this, while Pacquiao is ineffectively jumping in and trying to land with his left hand. Whenever Pacquiao does jump in, Vargas is able to land straight rights and hooks to the body from both hands. Despite doing very good in the first half, Pacquiao was about to come on strong.

Round 7- Now Pacquiao is moving to his right more, allowing him to land shots on Vargas easier. He isn’t as busy with his right hand as one may expect, but he is able to win the round primarily off the use of his jab.

Round 8- Vargas starts off well in the first half, as he is able to land another combination of hooks to the body and snap Pacquiao’s head back with a right hand. In the remaining half, Pacquiao finally starts to throw his fast combinations that we are used to seeing, allowing him to get several left hands through the guard of Vargas, ultimately doing more efficient work in the round.

Round 9- A minor cut was opened up on Vargas in the previous round. A few more head clashes occur early, but the cut never opens back up. Pacquiao is throwing the jab in multiples and scoring well with it. This allows him to land the left hand more efficiently, rather than just potshot with it. Pacquiao is also using his left glove to defend the right hand of Vargas now.

Round 10- Pacquiao is finding a home for the overhand left. Whenever they get into an exchange, Pacquiao is able to use his superior speed, work rate, and angles to get the better of it. A right hook jolts Vargas mid-round, but Vargas smiles and responds with shots of his own. Vargas does get in a few right hands in the round, but Pacquiao clearly did the superior work once again.

Round 11- Pacquiao lands a row of 1-2 combos early on. Vargas has two good moments where he catches Pacquiao with a looping right and later with a left hook, but Pacquiao adjusts after. He starts to walk Vargas into his left hand on numerous occasions, effectively stepping out of range each time. A short right hook to almost the back of the head drops Vargas on all fours, but Kenny Bayless rules it a slip due to their feet being tangled at the time. Good round for Pacquiao.

Round 12- Vargas tries to turn on the heat for the final round, but this plays into Pacquiao’s hands. While Vargas is busy for a big portion of the round, Pacquiao keeps him walking into some thudding counter left hands and right hooks. Vargas shows determination and keeps coming forward though. After landing his shots, Pacquiao uses his much superior speed and movement to keep him out of range. This is perhaps Pacquiao’s most impressive round of the fight. Pacquiao boxed very well throughout, showing the ability to adjust and seemingly figure out Vargas completely, allowing him to easily pull out with the second half of the fight and earn himself a clear decision victory. On top of that, Pacquiao not only earns himself a decisive victory over a young, prime world champion, but he also made himself a 3-time champion at welterweight with this performance. Vargas did good, edging the first half of the fight and landing good shots on Pacquiao throughout, but proved to be levels below. At least Vargas can say he gave Pacquiao one of his closest fights, even if he didn’t do as much as earn a draw without the knockdown, which one judge somehow had it scored as. Sadly, Pacquiao’s career would come across another setback after this.