PBC on FS1 - Vargas vs Herrera: Live streaming results and round by round coverage

Tonight at 10 pm ET on FS1, Premier Boxing Champions is back, and so is former welterweight titleholder Jessie Vargas, who returns after a 13-month layoff in tonight’s main event.

Vargas (27-2, 10 KO) was last seen in a loss to Manny Pacquiao in November 2016, but now he’s with a new promotional team and ready to get back to work. He’ll be taking it relatively easy — at least on paper — in his return, as he faces veteran Aaron Herrera (33-7-1, 22 KO) in a fight scheduled for 10 rounds.

Another 10-round welterweight fight will be part of the card, as Argentina’s Diego Chaves (26-2-1, 22 KO) also returns, matched up against Jamal James (21-1, 9 KO). The fight is big for both men. Chaves hasn’t fought in the United States since 2014, when he lost to Brandon Rios and was gifted a draw against Tim Bradley. James lost his perfect record in August 2016 against Yordenis Ugas, but beat Jo Jo Dan in his last outing in July. At the very least, a win here keeps these guys in the mix for PBC shows at this level, and even main events on outlets like FS1.

Former 135 and 140 pound title challenger John Molina Jr (29-7, 23 KO) is also back tonight, as he’ll face former prospect Ivan Redkach (20-3-1, 16 KO) in a 10-round junior welterweight fight. Molina hasn’t fought since he was routed by Terence Crawford a year ago, and Redkach is 2-3-1 in his last six fights after some early hype. It’s must-win for both.

The opener will be a 154-pound matchup between veterans Wale Omotoso (26-3, 21 KO) and Freddy Hernandez (34-8, 22 KO).

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Results

• Jessie Vargas def. Aaron Herrera by unanimous decision (100-89, 100-89, 100-89)
• Jamal James def. Diego Chaves by KO (2:12 of round 3)
• John Molina Jr def. Ivan Redkach by TKO (1:27 of round 4)
• Wale Omotoso def. Freddy Hernandez by unanimous decision (100-90, 97-93, 96-94)

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Round By Round

Jessie Vargas vs Aaron Herrera

Round 1: Let’s see how Vargas looks after 13 months off and what was frankly a poor performance, even considering he was fighting Manny Pacquiao. Vargas is with Mike McCallum as trainer now, too. Vargas jabbing in this opening round. Looks relaxed, comfortable. Not a lot to say about this round, Vargas won it with his jab. Vargas 10-9

Round 2: Vargas immediately looking a bit more aggressive opening this round, throwing power punches straight away. Back to the jab after that, lots of feinting. He’s fighting smart, probably wants to get some rounds in, too, after the long break. Vargas with a little left inside. Vargas 10-9, 20-18

Round 3: This isn’t a real challenge for Vargas, but it is what it is. It’s a comeback fight, it makes sense. Vargas just poking away, staying chill, scoring points. Herrera starting to look like he wants to mix it up more, but he’s not really good enough to force Vargas to do anything Vargas doesn’t want to do. Vargas 10-9, 30-27

Round 4: Vargas mixes in a left hook to the body, then one up top. Again, Herrera wants to make this a brawl, but Vargas isn’t going to brawl unless he wants to do it. Vargas 10-9, 40-36

Round 5: Herrera starts the round with a left hook. Vargas back with a hook about 30 seconds later. I’m really not impressed with what I’m seeing from Vargas here, but I’ll give it this round and the next to see if he turns it on and was just killing time and working before now. His right hand has not been connecting well when he’s thrown it. You feel like he could amp it up and end things if he so chooses, even though Vargas isn’t historically a puncher. Vargas 10-9, 50-45

Round 6: Welp, there it is — a little over a minute into the round, Vargas drops Herrera. No big charge to finish after that, Vargas just controls the rest of the round. Vargas 10-8, 60-53

Round 7: Boy, this is a dull fight. Dull, dull, dull. They’re saying “clinic,” but I’m not going that far. He’s outboxing a journeyman Regis Prograis finished in two minutes. I mean, I get Vargas is getting in rounds and all, but I don’t have to think it’s fun to watch. Vargas 10-9, 70-62

Round 8: I’ve seen enough of this. Here’s a Graham Houston tweet that explains about where I’m at:

If this goes the distance, that’s no good. Vargas 10-9, 80-71

Round 9: Vargas continuing to box pretty carefully, pretty restrained. Opens up a bit almost two minutes into the round, but it’s short-lived aggression. Some nice body shots, but one strays low. Vargas remains in easy control. Vargas 10-9, 90-80

Round 10: Vargas now looking like he wants to get the stoppage. He’s throwing some hard shots, not going crazy, but clearly sitting down on his punches. Herrera has nothing for him. Good hook from Vargas hurts Herrera, but he stays up. A minute left. Vargas doesn’t get the stoppage, but won every minute of this fight. Vargas 10-9, 100-89

Diego Chaves vs Jamal James

Round 1: James is about a 6’3” welterweight, so he’s got a big height advantage here. Chaves can be rough, even downright dirty, so we’ll see if that comes into play here. James coming out firing with both hands. Chaves covering up as James throws, then clips James with a long left hook. Chaves getting in close and trying to work, as you’d anticipate. Chaves with a right to the body. James with a right to the body himself. Chaves really looking to work to the body. Competitive opening round, both guys seem to have a clear idea of what they want to do. Chaves 10-9

Round 2: Chaves is leaping with left hooks here and there, just jumping at James, which is kinda fun, all things considered. James doing some OK work. Lots of tussling. James 10-9, 19-19

Round 3: This is not a pretty matchup so far, but it’s interesting. James throws, Chaves bends down so far that he can’t find him. Good right hand from James, more chopping rights, and DOWN GOES DIEGO CHAVES ON A LEFT HOOK TO THE BODY! It might be over here! He’s down for the count! James KO-3

John Molina Jr vs Ivan Redkach

Round 1: I do expect some fireworks here. Both have very loud trunks. Right hook from Redkach, then a straight left moments later as he looks to put the pressure on the potentially rusty, potentially aged Molina. Molina charging forward now, throwing bombs at Redkach, who ties up. Redkach goes down late in the round, but the referee rules it a push. Lots of aggression in this opening round, this one looks like it’s gonna be fun. Molina charged late in this round, but I shade to Redkach. Redkach 10-9

Round 2: More fun action to start this round, Molina looking game but a little old in there. And down goes Molina after a big flurry from Redkach! Molina up and fighting on, let’s see if he can recover. He’s a tough, gritty dude. Redkach is just COMING FOR HIM, though. Redkach is here to put this away earlier and show something. Molina barely makes it out of the round. Redkach 10-8, 20-17

Round 3: Redkach’s left hand just not missing. Molina swinging for the fences, but Redkach is reading it all coming from him so far. And here comes Molina with a right hand and an attempt to pour on the pressure, Redkach ties him up again. Jab from Redkach. HUGE SHOT AND DOWN GOES REDKACH! Redkach up but all but out on his feet. He gets a break with his mouthpiece being out, though. Molina charging as action resumes! HE’s throwing sledgehammer right hands! Redkach being warned to show something! Redkach swinging back! Molina throwing bombs! WHAT A WAR! Molina teeing off with right hands. Redkach on the ropes and trying to slip shots! Right hand Molina again! Another one! Another one! Redkach trying to throw back! THE ROUND ENDS! MY GOD! Molina 10-8, Redkach 28-27

Round 4: And the rounds starts with Molina CHARGING at Redkach! Just full steam ahead! Redkach trying to talk some trash in there, and they are both just flinging leather. Another right from Molina! Redkach throwing from the ropes! HARD body shot from Molina! Redkach hurt and he’s down again, and IT IS OVER! Molina TKO-4

Wale Omotoso vs Freddy Hernandez

Round 1: Omotoso hasn’t fought since July 2016, Hernandez since August 2016. Robert Guerrero on commentary validates Omotoso’s questionable claim that Omotoso has moved up from 147 because he was being ducked. Omotoso throwing some bombs early here, not landing clean. Hernandez trying to establish a jab. Ugly first round from both guys, they each look slow and lacking in their timing. Hernandez 10-9

Round 2: Let’s see if the rust shakes for either man going forward in this fight. Omotoso trying to set up more early in the round, at least showing a jab, but he’s clearly focused on the big shots. Hernandez with a little right. Omotoso clearly the house favorite on commentary here, maybe trying to set him up to be Erislandy Lara’s next awful title challenger. Omotoso popped with a little left, it’s called “both exchanging.” Sure, why not? Hernandez starting to put punches together, backs Omotoso into the corner and unloads a series of left hooks, landing them. Omotoso’s mouthpiece goes flying. Both flick jabs out through the end of the round. Hernandez 10-9, 20-18

Round 3: Omotoso looks exceptionally slow tonight. Like he’s working underwater. Hernandez is staying in control, even if he’s not doing anything amazing himself. Heads come together about halfway into the round, Jack Reiss notes “a lot of redness, no blood” on Hernandez’s head. Omotoso winging those power shots inside again, trying to get aggressive, Hernandez ties him up. If Omotoso lands one or two of these, could be a game changer, but Hernandez isn’t having a lot of trouble with it so far. Hernandez with a looping left hook inside. That’s been his money punch tonight. Hernandez 10-9, 30-27

Round 4: Guerrero has Hernandez up 2-1, which is fair enough. Omotoso is being pushed back and he can’t fight like that. He’s no counter-puncher. Hernandez lands another good left hook, this one to the body. Another hook inside, that one to the jaw. Omotoso with half a counter in return, but the better punch there was from Freddy. Jab from Hernandez. Omotoso trying to jab from outside, but his jab isn’t looking good. Omotoso throws a couple rights, one might have half-landed. Hernandez with a grazing hook. Hernandez 10-9, 40-36

Round 5: Omotoso still trying to figure things out. Looks to the body, which might not be a bad idea. He’s trying to work coming forward more, which is crucial for him if he’s going to get back into this fight. Or maybe the cards are already all but decided. Hernandez with a sudden flurry and Omotoso is being pushed back again. Omotoso was doing better, but this final minute is all Hernandez after a good hook landed yet again. Some body work from Hernandez. Hernandez 10-9, 50-45

Round 6: Flores and Guerrero almost desperate for Omotoso to even have a good argument for winning a round at this point. I’ve seen Omotoso fight a bunch over the years on Top Rank cards and whatnot, and this is easily the worst I’ve seen him look, and he never looked great. Omotoso with a right hand, and he’s really trying to press the action now. He absolutely has to do that, and Hernandez is looking more uncomfortable because of that push from Omotoso. Even when Omotoso isn’t landing much — and he’s not — it’s better than Hernandez so clearly controlling the tempo. Hernandez with a right. Omotoso does this video game sort of thing where he shakes out his left hand and then does, like, a double step forward with a wound up right hand. Omotoso 10-9, Hernandez 59-55

Round 7: Omotoso coming out firing again early in the round. Hernandez not throwing as much as he was earlier, not pushing the pace as much. Omotoso not doing anything great, but he’s dictating things for the moment, and did mostly in the sixth, too. If there’s one thing that’s really helped Omotoso weather Hernandez’s strong start, it’s that Hernandez has no zip on his punches at this weight. Omotoso 10-9, Hernandez 68-65

Round 8: Hernandez trying to get back to the jab leading his attack, which keeps him in control. Right hand from Omotoso. “Whomever is the victor is going to give and is a rough customer for anyone at 154.” I beg to differ, “Sweet Baby.” Right hand from Hernandez gets in as they both throw inside. Another right lands, nothing on it, but it lands. OH WHAM! LEFT HOOK AND A BIG RIGHT FROM OMOTOSO HURTS HERNANDEZ! HE’S FIRING AWAY WITH HERNANDEZ ON THE ROPES! HERNANDEZ TRYING TO TIE HIM UP AND HE DOES! Woo! That was what Omotoso was looking for all night. Hernandez would have gotten this round but he got hurt badly in there, and I can’t favor his early solid work over Omotoso blasting him with a shot that hurt him that badly. Omotoso 10-9, Hernandez 77-75

Round 9: Hernandez and his corner apparently thought it was only an eight-round fight. Oh, boy. Omotoso STORMS out to start this round, but Hernandez weathers it and is trying to slow him down still. Which, obviously, is smart. Omotoso has taken momentum in the second half. This round’s up for grabs in the final minute. Both guys looking a little tired. Omotoso coming forward, Hernandez tying him up instead of Omotoso doing any effective work, though. Hernandez with a couple jabs and a slow hook. Heads clash again, opens a cut on the outside of Hernandez’s left eye late in the round. This was an important round, however this one gets scored could be big in this fight. And I don’t know that either guy really took it for his own. Omotoso 10-9, Hernandez 86-85

Round 10: Obviously, this round is big, too. I have Hernandez up 5-4, but if you gave Omotoso the first, which is fair, he could be up 5-4 just as easily. The ninth might have been a swing, too. This is another round that probably could have gone either way, that neither man really clearly took home. Omotoso 10-9, 95-95