Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas Scorecard Predictions, Odds and Prop Bets

Manny Pacquiao has come out of retirement to take the WBO Welterweight title off Jessie Vargas this Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. He can do it by following a similar plan to the one that served him well in some of the biggest fights of his career.

Pacquiao's history and experience have made him the early favourite with the oddsmakers. In fact, Odds Shark has the 37-year-old at -1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) to win in the opening lines, while Vargas' best odds sit at 550-1.

The interesting prop bets favour Pacquiao getting it done by decision.

Here are the best prop bets ahead of the fight, according to Oddschecker.com:

Prop	Odds
Pacquiao on Points	4-6
Vargas on Points	9-1
Pacquiao in Round 1	66-1
Vargas by KO, TKO or Disqualification	18-1
Pacquiao by KO, TKO or Disqualification	5-2

Preview

Pacquiao came through his best-of-three series with Timothy Bradley having proved he still has the savvy and hitting power to own the ring against most fighters. He's already indicated how he'll try to fight a smart bout against Vargas.

Pacquiao stated how he and trainer Freddie Roach have multiple strategies in store for the younger man, per Lyle Fitzsimmons of BoxingScene.com:

"

Freddie and I have three game plans for him. He is a young and strong champion. His height and reach are also a factor that I will need to overcome. I do not want to given anything away but if you watch my fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito you will see that may speed and footwork will be my key weapons in establishing my plan.

"

The last line implies a possible hit-and-move approach from Pacquiao. It would help him stay away from the dangerous jab of Vargas and allow him to pick his shots.

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If he varies his march toward Vargas, Pacquiao, who has lost none of his hand speed despite his advancing years, should land some telling flurries early. He can keep Vargas moving and frustrate the champion during the initial rounds.

Of course, Vargas will know all about the sudden power Pacquiao still brings to the table. Avoiding the type of punches that will end this fight quickly will demand his defenses are on point.

Fortunately for Vargas, the defensive side of his style is strong, according to ESPN.com's Brian Campbell: "Although he has evolved into more of a counterpuncher in recent fights, Vargas remains very much a traditional boxer who stands behind his guard and looks to trade punches."

If Vargas is smart, he'll look to cancel out Pacquiao's speed with a patient approach, one designed to invite the more illustrious fighter in. Getting Pacquiao in close will negate those quick feet and turn it into an exchange of short hooks and body shots.

It would be the best way for Vargas to push this fight past five rounds. Pacquiao is still a phenom of conditioning, but Father Time takes his price even from the best.

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Expect Pacquiao to boss the early rounds and be awarded the lion's share of points on those sections of the scorecards. Then a lean spell in the middle will follow as Vargas hangs tougher than expected before Pacquiao finally polishes off this fight in the eighth or ninth.