The early rounds went according to script. Pagan controlled the range, doubled down on his jab, and found a home for the straight right hand. Jimenez is now 18-3 with 10 knockouts, but he has struggled to close the distance and give up ground cleanly. Pagan patiently boxed and built a lead, forcing Jimenez to chase.

The second half tells a different story. Jimenez started pressing harder, bringing Pagan back and beating him roughly along the ropes. The Nicaraguan clubbed the body, forcing Pagan to work in cramped conditions in which he looked more comfortable. A gash was cut into Pagan’s forehead, adding to the apparent complexity and diverting energy within the building. The favorite still leads, but he’s no longer on cruise control.

To his credit, Pagan settled late. No. 9’s right hand briefly shook Jimenez and restored order. Track 10 is cleaner and more composed enough to end without drama. The judges reflected early dominance. The crowd celebrates the homecoming victory.

Still, expectations reign. Pagan is considered an up-and-coming lightweight with upside, the kind of fighter who can move out of the zone and into deeper waters quickly. Tuesday night, he maintained his record and potentially moved him closer to a spot in the WBO’s top 10. It also raises some quieter questions about how his style holds up when opponents refuse to cooperate and fights get heated.

Jimenez is not a top contender. He should be dealt with. Pagan did handle him, but not in a way that quelled doubts about what happens when names get bigger and the pressure is greater.

There is value in winning rounds and learning under fire. The pagans did both. The next upgrades will reveal whether this is just a masterful homecoming or a warning that the climb will be steeper than advertised.