Pacquiao vs. Vargas Picks

WBO World Welterweight Championship: Jessie Vargas (c) (27-1) vs. Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2)

Nolan Howell: This is a strange matchup. Pacquiao probably still has the ability to be at least top ten in the division, but this fight is really nothing but a pay day for him. Vargas has a decent future ahead of him, but Pacquiao is probably still too talented despite this being nothing but the start of a vanity retirement tour or maybe a final title run. Unless Pacman completely lost everything during the brief retirement, he looks rusty for a few rounds before styling. Pacquiao by UD.

WBO World Featherweight Championship: Oscar Valdez (c) (20-0) vs. Hiroshige Osawa (30-3-4)

Nolan Howell: Showcase? Showcase.  Valdez by fifth-round TKO.

WBO Junior Featherweight Championship: Nonito Donaire (c) (37-3) vs. Jessie Magdaleno (23-0)

Nolan Howell: A decent scrap here. Donaire isn’t what he used to be and will always fight down a level, but I’ll take him to eek it out here. Donaire by unanimous decision.

Vacant WBO World Flyweight Championship: Prasitsack Phaprom (39-1-2) vs. Zou Shiming (8-1)

Nolan Howell: Your typical Shiming vanity fight on a Pacquiao undercard, but this time they don’t even bother picking a new opponent. Shiming by UD.