Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas fight predictions, odds, undercard, expert picks, date, preview
A WBA unification bout headlines the PPV attraction on Saturday night in Las Vegas when the Filipino legend returns
For whatever it lost from the standpoint of commercial appeal as the blockbuster pay-per-view event of the summer, Manny Pacquiao's return on Saturday following a two-year layoff still presents an incredibly intriguing style matchup.
After unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. was forced to withdraw just 11 days out following surgery for a torn retina, reigning WBA titleholder Yordenis Ugas was bumped up from the PPV main card to face Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
"This has been a long road for me," Ugas said. "Obviously, it is short notice that I learned I was fighting Pacquiao, but I'm thankful for the opportunity and I'm ready to take advantage of it. We made the adjustments we had to in the last two weeks so that I'm ready for Pacquiao. We've done everything we had to and we're 100% ready to go Saturday night.
"There are no excuses heading into this fight. I've been in this position taking a short-notice fight before, although obviously never against a fighter the caliber of Pacquiao. I have no concerns though, and I believe both of us are going to be prepared for this fight."
Pacquiao reiterated throughout fight week that he's not underestimating the challenge that Ugas brings although his prediction remained the same as it was for Spence: victory by knockout. It's a potential outcome that Ugas vowed will not happen.
"I'm certain that he cannot knock me out," Ugas said. "I've done all the preparation over these past six years to get in this position, I've hit my stride and I just don't believe I can be stopped by Manny."
Elsewhere, a pair of veterans of the game are set to throw down when Robert Guerrero meets Victor Ortiz in a welterweight co-feature. Guerrero, 38, is back after his own two-year hiatus and enters on a three-fight win streak. This comes after a brief retirement in 2017 following a three-fight skid. Ortiz, 34, has not fought since February 2018 while facing sexual assault allegations that were dismissed in December 2020. He has not won since a July 2017 knockout.
Below is the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook along with a pair of predictions for the main event from our experts.
Fight card, odds
Manny Pacquiao -360 vs. Yordenis Ugas +280, WBA welterweight championship
Robert Guerrero -125 vs. Victor Ortiz -105, welterweight
Mark Magsayo -280 vs. Julio Ceja +230, WBC featherweight title eliminator
Carlos Castro -1100 vs. Oscar Escandon +700, featherweight
Predictions
Campbell: When comparing the skills of Spence and Ugas, it would be difficult not to shade the advantage toward the pound-for-pound ranked Spence in just about every category. That's why the betting odds shifted so quickly from Pacquiao as an underdog to a 3-1 favorite following the change of opponent.
Fight night is upon us. All eyes are set to hit the fight capital of the world as Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao makes his return to the boxing ring on Saturday night to take on Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight title. Pacquiao, 42, will challenge for a title he previously held after a win in September 2019 over Keith Thurman. The bout will headline a PBC on Fox PPV event live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was originally scheduled to take on WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence Jr., but the unified titleholder was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering a torn retina in training camp just 11 days out from the fight. Coincidentally, Ugas was scheduled to battle in the co-main event against Fabian Maidana, but Maidana also had to withdraw with an injury.
The Filipino legend is set to compete in his fourth decade during a career that began all the way back in 1995. He has maintained his status as one of the best in the world at 147 pounds over the last decade while facing the best the division has to offer, including Tim Bradley, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios, Chris Algeri, Adrien Broner and, of course, Floyd Mayweather Jr. His lone slip up since the loss to Mayweather in May 2015 was a disputed decision loss to Australian Jeff Horn in Horn's backyard.
Ugas, meanwhile, is not someone who can be looked over. At 35, the Cuban has just one defeat in 12 trips to the ring since 2015 with the lone loss coming by disputed decision to Shawn Porter for the vacant WBC title. He's taken on some of the best in the world at 147 pounds, including victories over Jamal James, Thomas Dulorme, Ray Robinson, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Abel Ramos.
CBS Sports will be with you throughout the week for complete coverage of the fight in Las Vegas. Be sure to keep this page saved for all the latest updates, news and analysis from Las Vegas.
Below is the complete fight card with the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Pacquiao vs. Ugas fight card, odds
Manny Pacquiao -360 vs. Yordenis Ugas +280, WBA welterweight championship
Robert Guerrero -130 vs. Victor Ortiz +110, welterweight
Mark Magsayo -300 vs. Julio Ceja +240, WBC featherweight title eliminator
Carlos Castro -1100 vs. Oscar Escandon +700, featherweight
Pacquiao vs. Ugas info
Date: Aug. 21
Location: T-Mobile Arena -- Las Vegas
Start time: 9 p.m. ET
How to watch: FOX PPV | Price: $74.99
Pacquiao vs. Ugas countdown
Campbell: Overall preview and prediction for the main event
Campbell: Pacquiao continues to defy age as he enters another title fight
Brookhouse: Best bets to consider for the PPV fight card
Campbell: Five biggest storylines to watch in this PPV showdown
Spence out of showdown with torn retina, Ugas steps in