Vargas:Pacquiao’s speed is bigger asset than power

CEBU, Philippines —  Former two-division world champion Jessie Vargas was beaten to the pulp in a unanimous decision loss to Manny Pacquiao during their WBO welterweight title bout on November 2, 2016 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Speaking to host Chris Lloyd on Matchroom’s Lockdown Tapes series recently, Vargas gamely recalled his moment with Pacquiao in the ring which he describes as a great learning experience.

Vargas, who earned $2.5 million for the fight, said Pacquiao missed a lot of punches but he had a hard time too hitting his target because of the Pinoy ring star’s speed and quickness.

“I had difficulties, too, because he’s so fast. I was trying to play target practice with him, but he’s moving left and right; he’s quick!,” said Vargas in a report by Scott Christ of badlefthook.com.

The 31-year-old Vargas knows that Pacquiao is a power puncher.

But despite being knocked down in the second round by a left straight counter and suffering a nasty cut on his right eyebrow inflicted by a solid left blow, Vargas said he doesn’t feel the full force of Pacquiao’s power.

For him, Pacquiao’s speed is a bigger asset than his power.

“I think it’s his positioning that gives him some of the power, but mainly it’s his speed,” said Vargas.“I’m sure he’s a power puncher, but I didn’t feel his punching power, honestly. Now his speed was dangerous. If you don’t see his punch, he can take you down.”

He had been through a lot of tough battles but Vargas conceded that Pacquiao is the best fighter he has ever faced in his career.