Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas: Undercard Schedule, Online Odds and Picks

Manny Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas will headline a loaded boxing card from Las Vegas on Saturday, though the undercard is shaping up to be a must-see affair. 

The co-main event will feature Nonito Donaire defending the WBO Super Bantamweight Championship against undefeated challenger Jessie Magdaleno. Donaire enters the title fight on a four-fight win streak, with three victories coming via TKO no later than the third round. 

Oscar Valdez will put his WBO featherweight title on the line against Hiroshige Osawa, while Zou Shiming and Prasitsak Phaprom will open the televised portion of the undercard. 

Weight Class	Matchup	Odds	Prediction
WBO Welterweight Title	Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas (c)	Pacquiao (-1000)	Pacquiao via unanimous decision
WBO Super Bantamweight Title	Nonito Donaire (c) vs. Jessie Magdaleno	Donaire (-769)	Donaire via 5th-Round TKO
WBO Featherweight Title	Hiroshige Osawa vs. Oscar Valdez (c)	Valdez (-10000)	Valdez via split decision
WBO Flyweight Title	Zou Shiming vs. Prasitsak Phaprom	Shiming (-3333)	Shiming via 4th-Round KO

Matchup to Watch: Donaire vs. Magdaleno

Magdaleno is the mandatory challenger for Donaire's title and is being thrust into the boxing spotlight for the first time in his career. 

The challenger isn't lacking the confidence necessary to capture his first major championship, though. He believes there's a moment in the fight he can pinpoint when the champion will begin to slow down. 

“He (Donaire) will be strong for about five rounds, then there will be a fade and we will take over,” said Magdaleno, per Dino Maragay of the Philippine Star. “He's a tough competitor for sure. But this is my dream fight, not his.”

It's not an inaccurate prediction for Magdaleno to make. Donaire has had six of his last seven fights end in nine rounds or less. His power gives him an opportunity to end things quickly. 

Kin Cheung/Associated Press

Magdaleno is entering his first 12-round fight, but at 24 years old, being able to maintain an advantage in stamina shouldn't be a problem. He's also a strong puncher; 17 of his 23 wins have come by knockout or TKO, but this is a step up in competition. 

Another problem for Magdaleno is the weight class. This is his first bout at 122 pounds since January 2015, though he explained to Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times he doesn't anticipate it being an issue. 

“That’s everybody’s concern. It’s not my concern. I can make that weight, it’s going to be an easy task,” Magdaleno said. “The time’s here. I’ll take full advantage of it. I believe youth is going to overpower [Donaire].”

Moving down in weight and trying to maintain the power that helped make him a mandatory challenger for the title is not an easy task, though at least he does have some history at 122 pounds to make it work. 

Donaire is still the class of the 122-pound division. He's been on a roll for two years, having little issues winning and retaining two titles since dropping back down in weight following his October 2014 loss against Nicholas Walters. 

There will come a time when Magdaleno is in Donaire's position, but the champion is still performing at a high level and is poised for a big night Saturday.