Manny Pacquiao Becomes New WBO Welterweight Champion

Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas was billed as the legend (Pacquiao) taking on the champ (Vargas). Now, the legend can call himself the champ once again.

In Pacquiao’s first fight since coming out of brief retirement, he defeated Vargas via unanimous decision. to become the new WBO welterweight champion. The bout was an exciting one that had the crowd on their feet almost from the beginning. This was Vargas’ second loss as a pro boxer and has now lost two of his last three fights.

Pacquiao knocked Vargas down in the middle in the second round of the fight. Vargas didn’t surrender as he fought toe-to-toe throughout most of the first half of the fight before Pacquiao dominated the second half of the fight.

The card was massive, with each fight on the main card being a world title fight, and many champions were in Las Vegas as spectators, including one retired Floyd Mayweather Jr.

After the fight Pacquiao was asked if he wanted to fight Mayweather a second time and he was noncommittal in his answer. Mayweather was the last man to beat Pacquiao and take his WBO welterweight title. While he did not comment on who exactly he wants next, Pacquiao did say that he is back in the fight game for the long haul.

Pacquiao becomes the first Senator to also become a boxing world champion while in office.