by David P. Greisman

Jessie Vargas now holds the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title. He’s hoping to defend it soon against the person who previously held it.

That’s because the belt belonged to Timothy Bradley before. Bradley vacated it rather than have a fight with mandatory challenger Sadam Ali, opting instead for a more lucrative third pay-per-view clash with Manny Pacquiao that will take place on April 9.

Ali and Vargas fought for the WBO belt this past Saturday. Vargas triumphed with a ninth-round technical knockout. He wishes Bradley will for his Pacquiao rubber match and then hopes “Desert Storm” decides in favor of a second tilt with Vargas.

Vargas challenged Bradley last year and was behind on the scorecards when he badly wobbled Bradley in the final seconds. But while Vargas was trying to finish the fight — and Bradley seeking to survive and defend himself —referee Pat Russell mistook the 10-second clapper warning for the final bell and ended things too early.

“I want Timothy Bradley,” Vargas said after the Ali win. “I would appreciate you come up to your word, do as you said, give me a rematch. We have unfinished business.”

Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com