The 37 year-old, who now moonlights as a fighter due to his daytime duties as Senator in his home country of the Philippines, showed lightning quick reflexes in his veteran years to bank round after round against the younger champion.
Pacquiao seemed to drop Vargas at least three times in the fight, although referee Kenny Bayliss was unnecessarily picky and only called one of those a bona-fide knockdown in the second round.
It was academic in the end though as Pacquiao used his superior movement and hand speed to bamboozle Vargas and take the fight away from him, especially in the second half.
At the end of the twelve rounds, two judges had the fight spot on at 118-109, whilst Dave Moretti must have been watching a different match-up in the crowd as he somehow scored it 114-113.
There’s no way a gallant Vargas deserved that many rounds, although the Mexican-American two-weight world title holder can come again at the tender age of 27.
For Pacquiao, a rematch against a ringside Floyd Mayweather could be on the cards next or maybe a unification with Kell Brook dependant on what his main rival decides to do in regards to a comeback.
All-in-all, Pacquiao proved there’s much left in the tank and an April retirement announcement was mightily premature on Saturday night’s evidence.
